WPL 2026: 'I am quite excited about challenging myself' - UP Warriorz' head coach Abhishek Nayar

Abhishek Nayar, who was appointed as the head coach of UP Warriorz after WPL 2025, said he will look to push the players out of their comfort zones and help maximise potential. The former India assistant coach has built a reputation as a personal coach, assisting stalwarts like Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik improve their game. Now, the 42-year-old is looking to make a mark as the head coach of the Warriorz.

It is important to note that Nayar is also the head coach of the Kolkata Knight Riders. He will be seated at the mini-auction table next month in Abu Dhabi when the three-time IPL champions look to build a strong squad for next season. Nayar did a decent job with the other members of the Warriorz' support staff and the owners during the first-ever Women's Premier League mega-auction on Thursday, November 27.

They acquired the most expensive signing of the day in Deepti Sharma. The Indian all-rounder, fresh from winning the ODI World Cup, was bought back for INR 3.2 crore with the Right to Match (RTM) option. Among the franchise’s other star signings were Shikha Pandey for INR 2.4 crore, Meg Lanning for INR 1.9 crore and Phoebe Litchfield for INR 1.2 crore.

“I think you always feel good after any auction because you get 80 per cent of the players you want. I am very happy in that regard. But I also believe that you don’t win due to an auction, you have to play well on the ground," Nayar told Sportstar.

“I am quite excited about challenging myself as a coach. I have always believed in getting out of one’s comfort zone. When I work with players, I try to do that with them. And I think this is one step in that direction,” he stated.

'We just wanted to have the purse' - Nayar on releasing Deepti and re-signing her at the auction

When asked why the Warriorz didn't retain Deepti initially, Nayar said that the franchise decided to enter the auction with a massive purse and take things from there. He reasoned that this move helped them rope in the experienced campaigner for INR 3.2 crore at the auction instead of the INR 3.5 crore they would have had to spend on her had she been retained.

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“We just wanted to have the purse. Our first retention (capped) would have been ₹3.5 crore. We got her at ₹3.2 crore. It’s still some money saved, and allows you to get one extra player. The mindset was we were going to get her.”