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UP Warriorz Coach Nayar: "Everything to Win, Nothing to Lose" in WPL 2026

UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar says his team has "everything to win and nothing to lose" as they face a must-win match against Delhi Capitals for a slim playoff chance. He reflected on a frustrating WPL 2026 season hampered by a misfiring batting lineup and constant middle-order shuffles. Nayar, coaching a women's team for the first time, emphasized the learnings over immediate reflection, noting the need for more precise planning in the women's game. He also mentioned learning from captain Meg Lanning as they both navigated their first year together in this setup.

Key Points: UPW Coach Nayar on WPL 2026 Playoff Push & Learnings

  • UPW must win big vs DC for playoff chance
  • Nayar calls season one of "hits and misses"
  • Batting unit misfired, middle order shuffled
  • First-time women's cricket coach highlights major learnings
2 min read

WPL 2026: UPW have everything to win and nothing to lose, says head coach Nayar

UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar reflects on a season of hits and misses, the playoff equation, and his first-year learnings in women's cricket.

"It's plain and simple... they've got everything to win and nothing to lose. - Abhishek Nayar"

Vadodara, Feb 1

UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar said his side had 'everything to win and nothing to lose' as they reflected on a season that brought both promise and frustration in the 2026 Women's Premier League.

UPW need to win big over Delhi Capitals in Sunday's game, and get a slight mathematical chance to enter the playoffs. "It's plain and simple... they've got everything to win and nothing to lose. When you play a game for a franchise, I believe its about winning. Our thought process is the same today: win first, and then we'll look at the equation later," said Nayar to broadcasters ahead of the clash.

UPW had a miserable time in WPL 2026 due to a misfiring batting unit, and shuffling their middle order repeatedly. "Firstly, it's too early for reflection, as there's too much emotion and no objectivity comes in. I have always believed that in T20s, its important to see whether your players have clicked at the right time, the partnerships you wanted at the right time have happened.

"I feel in a lot of ways, it has been a season of hits and misses. We have played well, but missed certain moments and we have been blown over, which is disappointing at times," added Nayar, who is coaching a women's cricket team for the first time.

He also felt the learnings as a coach in women's cricket are huge. "The learnings are far more than the reflections because personally this is my first time in women's cricket; lot of learnings from Meg about the approach and how it works. Overall, it's T20 cricket, and sometimes things don't go your way.

"Women's cricket is different, where you need to be a lot more direct. When you plan, you have to be a lot more precise than men's cricket. The understanding that things will work out sometimes doesn't work out that way. It's been the first year for both of us (him and Lanning, as captain) and we have sort of learnt from each other."

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
Respect to Nayar for being honest. It's been a tough season with the batting order constantly changing. You can't build consistency like that. Hopefully they learn from this and come back stronger next year. The women's game is growing so fast, every experience counts.
R
Rohit P
His point about women's cricket needing more precise planning is interesting. It's a different dynamic. Wishing him and Lanning the best. First seasons are always a learning curve. 🤞
S
Sarah B
"Season of hits and misses" sums it up perfectly. They showed flashes of brilliance but couldn't sustain it. The match against DC is a free hit now. Go out and enjoy the game, the pressure is off!
K
Karthik V
With all due respect to Nayar sir, I have to disagree slightly. Saying "it's too early for reflection" after the season is almost over feels like avoiding accountability. The middle-order shuffling was a major tactical error that cost them. Hope they do a proper post-mortem.
M
Meera T
Love his positive attitude! It's not over till it's over. Cricket is a funny game. If they win big and other results go their way, miracles can happen. Jai UP! 🏏

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