Former India all-rounder and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar has emerged as a key mentor figure within the UP Warriorz setup. During the Women’s Premier League (WPL), particularly in the franchise’s training camps and off-season programs.
Role within UP Warriorz Structure
Although Jon Lewis was officially the head coach for UP Warriorz through the 2025 season. Nayar joined the setup in unofficial yet influential capacities. He participated in the team’s off-season training camp at Bengaluru in 2023. Alongside Jon Lewis, assistant coach Anju Jain, and mentor Lisa Sthalekar. Nayar expressed his excitement at working with budding local talents like Parshavi Chopra, Yashasri and Shweta Sehrawat. While also interacting with veterans like Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad to understand and enhance their elite-level psychologies.
Within these camps, Nayar focused on player development and fostering coach‑player trust, stating: “You can’t ask a player to open up. Coaches must build that trust … players will trust you when they know you have their best interests in mind.” He emphasized developing clarity of roles and building connections that often get lost during result‑focused competitive seasons.
Coaching Philosophy & Player Development
Abhishek Nayar draws from successful stints in franchise cricket, notably with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL, where he played a pivotal role in rejuvenating veterans like Dinesh Karthik and mentoring rising stars like Shubman Gill. On WPL dynamics, he shared that working with veterans involves challenging long-ingrained thought patterns, while working with youth is more about building their skillsets from scratch. His approach blends technical coaching with mental strengthening, especially in short‑term tournaments like the WPL.
Recent Coaching Appointments & Broader Trajectory
While Nayar was not formally titled head coach of UP Warriorz. He continues to be linked with high-profile coaching roles elsewhere. In early 2025, he joined Kolkata Knight Riders’ coaching staff once again ahead of IPL 2025. Around the same time, the Mumbai Cricket Association appointed him as the mentor for the Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals in the revived T20 Mumbai League scheduled from May 26 to June 8, 2025.
This came shortly after his departure as assistant coach of the Indian men’s cricket team following a disappointing Test tour in Australia, where BCCI terminated his role along with other support staff hired under Gautam Gambhir’s regime.
Implications for UP Warriorz
With Jon Lewis stepping down as head coach after UP Warriorz finished bottom in WPL 2025, the franchise is now in search of a new coach for the 2026 season. Nayar’s visible involvement in player camps and his success in nurturing young talent could position him as a potential candidate to take a more formal role in the franchise. Though no official confirmation has been made.
Summary
- Primary head coach through 2023–25: Jon Lewis; Nayar was not officially in that role
- Nayar’s actual role: Off‑season mentor and development coach in WPL camps with UP Warriorz, focusing on youth development and mental trust‑building
- Current positions: Mentor for Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals in T20 Mumbai League 2025; part of KKR’s IPL‑2025 coaching staff
In conclusion, while Abhishek Nayar is sometimes described as head coach in casual references. His official title with UP Warriorz has been mentor or development coach—working under head coach Jon Lewis—particularly during off-season camps. His expert guidance in player development, both technically and psychologically, has made a significant impact on the squad, and his broader movement in domestic leagues keeps him firmly in the limelight. If UP Warriorz leadership changes ahead of WPL 2026. Nayar’s past contributions may well position him for a formal leadership role. Though nothing has been confirmed publicly at this point.
