Abhishek Nayar’s transition from men’s cricket to women’s cricket has begun with a clear sense of curiosity, humility and responsibility. Appointed as the head coach of UP Warriorz ahead of the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Nayar became the first-ever Indian male head coach in the competition. He replaced Jon Lewis while continuing his association with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
The assignment has presented Nayar with an entirely different coaching environment, one that demands not merely the transfer of knowledge, but also a deeper understanding of the women’s cricket ecosystem. For Nayar, that process begins with listening to those who have lived and shaped the game. “I think we need to understand women’s cricket as well. When you come to women’s cricket, the first thing you do is understand women’s cricket, so you want to use the resources around you, like Lisa Sthalekar and Neetu David,” Nayar told ANI.
That collaborative philosophy has been central to UP Warriorz’s preparations. The franchise held a pre-season training camp in Bengaluru from August 10 to 13, with Trisha G, Shikha Pandey, Asha Shobhana and Kiran Navgire among the players involved. Nayar worked alongside Saurabh B. and former Australia international Lisa Sthalekar, while former India spinner Neetu David also contributed to the preparations.
The presence of experienced figures such as Sthalekar, David, captain Meg Lanning and Deepti Sharma gives Nayar access to multiple perspectives. Lanning brings the authority of an accomplished international captain, while Deepti offers an Indian player’s understanding of the modern game. Together, they form a support structure that allows Nayar to guide rather than impose.
“It’s not the easiest thing for someone because it’s a completely different understanding of the game,” he acknowledged. “But the curiosity for everyone to learn is far more because they are now getting a lot more exposure. It’s very exciting to actually be in a position where you can hopefully help some of these girls achieve their true potential.”
The evolution of women’s cricket has also altered the technical and physical demands placed on coaches. Nayar pointed to the rise in power-hitting, improved fitness standards and greater agility as some of the most significant changes driven by increased competition and exposure through the WPL.
“The shots that you see in women’s cricket are in no way different from men’s cricket as well,” he said, highlighting the expanding range and intent in the women’s game. For Nayar, the upward curve is visible not only in boundary-hitting but also in the players’ preparation, athleticism and ability to sustain high-intensity performances.
Yet UP Warriorz’s campaign under Lanning ultimately proved difficult. The team finished at the bottom of the points table with four points from eight matches, recording two victories and six defeats during the league stage in the 4th edition. The result underlined the competitive depth of the WPL and the scale of the rebuilding challenge facing Nayar and his support staff.
Even so, Nayar remains convinced that the league’s influence is transformative. While decisions regarding expansion beyond the existing five-team format rest with the relevant authorities, he believes the WPL has already become a defining force in Indian women’s cricket.
“You just see the impact that this league has had on Indian women’s cricket; it has been tremendous,” Nayar said. “If the league grows, it’s always a good sign, but even besides that, it’s still a league that you can safely say is the best league in the world right now.”
It is a significant moment for women’s cricket. India’s historic 52-run victory over South Africa in the final of the 2025 Senior Women’s ODI World Cup at Navi Mumbai, under Harmanpreet Kaur and head coach Amol Muzumdar, reflected the progress Nayar described. His challenge now is to ensure that UP Warriorz can convert that wider momentum into sustained performances on the WPL stage.
(Quotes sourced from ANI)
Loves all things female cricket