UP Warriorz coach Abhishek Nayar admitted it was difficult to identify one clear reason for the team’s struggles in WPL 2026. His comments came after UPW lost to Delhi Capitals on Sunday. The defeat ended their playoff hopes for the season. Delhi won the match by five wickets in the final league fixture.

With that win, the Jemimah Rodrigues-led Delhi Capitals moved into the Eliminator. The result also meant two-time champions Mumbai Indians were knocked out. UP Warriorz, meanwhile, were left to reflect on a campaign that never fully took off. Injuries and inconsistency played a major role.

Speaking after the match, Nayar pointed to the absence of Phoebe Litchfield as a big setback. The Australian batter missed the latter part of the season due to a quad injury. Her absence disrupted the team’s balance at No. 3. UPW struggled to regain momentum after that loss.

“Losing Phoebe Impacted Our Team’s Setup,” Says Nayar

“I just think it's a season where it is hard to pinpoint what went wrong because we got some momentum when we won those two games,” Nayar said. “Losing Phoebe impacted our team's setup. It was hard for us to replace someone who has got more than 250 runs for us in the season. Number three didn't look the same for us post Phoebe. It was hard for us to fill her boots, in that regard.”

See Also: Watch: Pakistan Team departs for Sri Lanka ahead of T20 World Cup 2026 amid boycott controversy vs India

He also highlighted issues at the top of the order. “I believe in T20 cricket, when top order fires, the team tends to do well,” Nayar added. “Unfortunately how the season went for Kiran, it didn't pan out the way we wanted it to. It's been one of those seasons where it just didn't work out.”

In the match, UP Warriorz were limited to 122/8 after batting first. Deepti Sharma, Simran Shaikh and Shikha Pandey offered brief resistance, but no batter crossed 30. Delhi’s bowlers, led by Marizanne Kapp’s three wickets, kept things tight. Chasing 123, Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues guided Delhi home in 18.4 overs to seal a playoff spot.

The IPL mini-auction delivered a major twist for three-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders, who were unable to bring back Venkatesh Iyer. The left-handed batter was snapped up by defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore for INR 7 crore. Iyer had earlier been bought by KKR for INR 23.75 crore before the 2025 season. His poor form in the last IPL played a big role in KKR letting him go before the retention deadline.

Even so, KKR did not give up easily at the auction table. The franchise kept increasing the bid and went as high as INR 6.8 crore. When the amount touched INR 7 crore, KKR decided not to continue. That final call allowed RCB to secure the player and brought an end to Iyer’s long spell with KKR.

KKR head coach Abhishek Nayar later spoke about the situation and confirmed that the team wanted Iyer back. He explained that the management felt other teams were holding money for different players. Because of that, KKR believed they might be able to re-sign him at a lower price.

Cameron Green Pick Explains KKR’s Auction Strategy

Speaking to JioHotstar, Nayar said, “Venkatesh Iyer has been a franchise player for us from the start. We tried to get him back. We felt other teams were saving money for different players, so we thought we could get him at a lower price.” He also pointed out that Iyer suited KKR’s setup well. According to him, the all-rounder gave the team valuable balance and flexibility. He further added, “He is experienced and fits our setup, giving us flexibility. We tried, but RCB always seems to go after our players. This year, they got him. Venkatesh has been phenomenal for us over the years, and I wish him all the best in his new IPL journey.” The coach’s words showed respect and appreciation for Iyer’s contribution. He made it clear there was no bitterness over the outcome.

See Also: IND-W vs SL-W 1st T20I: Head-to-head, pitch report and predicted playing XIs

While missing out on Iyer, KKR made headlines by signing Cameron Green for INR 25.20 crore. This deal made Green the most expensive player in IPL history, going past Mitchell Starc. Explaining the move, Nayar said, “I can’t say how high we were willing to go for him, but we wanted to go all out. If we have the money, we spend it. There was no point in saving the money.” He added, “The idea was to do whatever we could to get Green because he is a very important player for us. With Andre Russell gone, we need someone to take the franchise forward. So, we decided we must have Cameron Green.” Along with Green, KKR also added Matheesha Pathirana, Finn Allen, Tim Seifert, and Rachin Ravindra to strengthen their squad.

Talking about IPL 2026, KKR is going to be led by Ajinkya Rahane. After being eliminated from the playoffs in the previous season, the team hopes that their aggressive strategy in the auction really makes a difference in their favor. With a refreshed squad and new leadership options, KKR will aim to return to the top when the tournament begins on March 26.

Should Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) bid for Prithvi Shaw during the IPL 2026 mini auction? The question has been asked constantly on social media platforms mainly for two reasons—the huge purse of KKR ahead of IPL 2026 and Prithvi Shaw's recent performance. Amid the discussions around Shaw's chances in the upcoming auction, a video of Abhishek Nayar is surfacing on the internet. 

Nayar, the apppinted coach of the multi-time IPL franchise, said in the podcast that he would like to work with Shaw. The date of publication of the podcast is not mentioned in the social media post, but still, Nayar's admiration and willingness to work with the talenten batter are clear from his comments. 

Nayar said, "If I had to work with someone that has potential, and messed it up and everyone knows. Maybe Prithvi (Shaw). Because of what he's going through. But! That is what I want." 

Read More: Watch: Steve Smith announces Australia's XI for AUS vs ENG 1st Ashes 2025-26 match

In the video, Nayar further stated, "I think that would be a fun person to work with. To sort of resurrect his career, which I'm pretty sure he will on his own if he puts in the work. Because, he is God's gift to cricket."

Abhishek Nayar drops a banger 🗣:
"I would like to work with PRITHVI SHAW"

Well, well 👀😀

Can anyone tell me the timeline of this interview?

KKR Fandom, can we see PRITHVI SHAW in KKR? 💜❤
pic.twitter.com/7BSPT0P72r

— Cricketwood (@thecricketwood) November 19, 2025

Why should KKR go for Shaw? 

KKR was the champion of IPL 2024 season but missed a chance in IPL 2025 in the round of four. For the upcoming season, with over INR 60 crore in money bag, they are ready for some big deals. After a deep downfall in career, Prithvi Shaw is now in a redemption mode with Maharahstra cricket team. To revamp his career, the top-order batter shifted from Mumbai to Maharashtra. Ahead of the IPL 2026 mini auction, Indian cricket fans are curious about his future in the Indian Premier League.  

After a disappointing season in IPL 2025, the former champions are all set to make some changes in their squad. They may have the desire to sign some exciting top-order batters who can score runs aggressively. Shaw can be fit for this role. Shaw’s powerplay aggression and spin-hitting ability would suit Eden Gardens’ traditional pitch conditions. The right-handed batter also can be useful if the franchise wants to apply a rotational formula to utilize most of their talents. 

Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have reportedly appointed Abhishek Nayar as the team’s head coach, starting from the IPL 2026 season. According to The Indian Express, the franchise informed Nayar about the decision last week, and an official announcement will be made soon.

Nayar joined KKR in 2018 as the head of their new KKR Academy in Mumbai. He coached many young players there and built strong bonds with players like Rinku Singh and Varun Chakaravarthy, who still credit him for their growth.

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Abhishek Nayar’s Journey with KKR

Eventually, former Mumbai all-rounder Abhishek Nayar took up a role closer to the KKR team as the batting coach. He was part of the Chandrakant Pandit-led support staff that helped KKR win the IPL 2024 title, their third trophy. When franchise mentor Gautam Gambhir was appointed by the BCCI as the head coach of the Indian men’s team, he brought Nayar and fielding coach Ryan ten Doeschate with him as assistant coaches.

However, while Gambhir, ten Doeschate, and bowling coach Morne Morkel continued, Nayar was removed from the national team earlier this year after India’s big defeat in the 2024–25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Sitanshu Kotak is now serving as India’s batting coach.

🚨 ABHISHEK NAYAR HAS BEEN APPOINTED AS THE HEAD COACH OF KKR 🚨 (Express Sports). pic.twitter.com/NpO7LFuD0M

— Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) October 26, 2025

KKR’s Struggles and Nayar’s Return

KKR brought Nayar back during the middle of the 2025 season, but he couldn’t turn things around. The team struggled after losing captain Shreyas Iyer, had a weak auction, and finished eighth with only five wins in 14 games.

Nayar is seen as a calm and understanding coach, unlike Pandit, who had a strict image as a domestic cricket legend. Although Nayar doesn’t have major coaching titles, he has worked closely with players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, and Dinesh Karthik, who have credited him for improving their careers.

How Nayar handles the bigger challenge as KKR’s head coach remains to be seen. Earlier this year, he was also appointed as the head coach of the WPL team UP Warriorz, and it’s not yet clear if he will continue in that role after taking charge of KKR.

The three-time champions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Kolkata Knight Riders, are set to appoint the former Indian coach, Abhishek Nayar, as their head coach for the forthcoming 2026 season. The reports of the Indian Express revealed that Nayar was informed of the decision last week, as a formal announcement is expected to be made soon.

Nayar had joined the franchise last year as support staff after being removed from the assistant coach’s role for the Indian team. The former all-rounder of the Mumbai side worked with KKR and was their main man behind the scenes, taking full care of the grooming players in the academy. The franchise has parted ways with its former head coach, Chandrakanth Pandi.

See Also: Ritika Sajdesh shares emotional message after Rohit Sharma’s century during AUS vs IND 3rd ODI

Kolkata had recently zeroed in on Nayar’s name as his replacement. KKR experienced an ordinary IPL 2025 as they failed to qualify for the playoffs, managing five wins from their 14 league games. The 42-year-old’s name coming as the new head coach isn’t surprising after his previous work with the franchise and their players for the past years.

Kolkata Knight Riders appoint Abhishek Nayar as head coach ahead of IPL 2026

Earlier this year, Nayar took up the role of the head coach of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) franchise, UP Warriorz, and it will now be interesting to see if he continues to hold the role of the head coach of two different sides in two separate leagues of the game.

Is there any chance of Nayar somehow forcing Rohit Sharma in KKR, as the Nagpur-born also love playing at the Eden Gardens, while the franchise needs a captain after the poor show from their previous season’s leader, Ajinkya Rahane? There are discussions of the 2024 champions going after one of Ishan Kishan or KL Rahul to make them part of the side.

Even though Nayar had a successful stint with the franchises, he couldn’t repeat the same success with the national side. The batting group’s continued failures in Test cricket at home and away had put the spotlight on Nayar’s role, and after a review meeting, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) terminated the contract of its support staff.

Former India player Abhishek Nayar said that Shreyas Iyer did not get out to a short ball in the second ODI against Australia. He explained that the middle-order batter was troubled by a seaming delivery around his waist, which he could not control.

Shreyas was caught behind on the leg side off a Josh Hazlewood delivery for 11 runs off 24 balls in the first ODI against Australia in Perth on Sunday, October 19. The Men in Blue lost the match by seven wickets via the DLS method. They will hope to bounce back and level the series in the second game in Adelaide on Thursday, October 23.

During an interview on the Star Sports show Game Plan, Nayar was asked about Shreyas and whether he got out to a short ball in Perth. He was also asked if the right-handed batter would be targeted the same way in Adelaide.

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Abhishek Nayar said, “I don’t agree that he got out to a short ball in Perth. I think it was a good ball because he was cramped. The ball moved in and came towards his waist, and he couldn’t control it. He will also think about it. He knows it was Perth, and now we have to go to Adelaide.”

The former India assistant coach added that Australia might use a different plan against Shreyas Iyer in Adelaide because the side boundaries are smaller.

“The side boundaries in Perth are big, but in Adelaide, they are small. So, will they use the short ball again? Will they come with the same plan? These are the match-ups. At the international level, players don’t come with the same strategy in every match,” Nayar said.

He also mentioned that Mitchell Starc might bowl a full and fast first ball to Shreyas Iyer at the Adelaide Oval. Nayar advised Shreyas not to think about Perth anymore and to focus on making good memories and gaining experience in Adelaide.

It’s about how you play in the power play! ⚡🏏#AakashChopra, #IrfanPathan, and #AbhishekNayar share crucial insights for Team India ahead of the 2nd ODI in Adelaide!#AUSvIND 👉 2nd ODI | THU, 23rd OCT, 8 AM pic.twitter.com/hpW5EXjn8V

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 22, 2025

“The first thing he will be practising is the toss” – Abhishek Nayar on Shubman Gill

On Game Plan, Abhishek Nayar was asked about Shubman Gill’s mindset before the second ODI after his unlucky dismissal in the first game against Australia.

Nayar said, “I think the first thing he will be practising is the toss. As a team, we have lost 16 tosses. In Perth, when you lose the toss and the ball is moving, with rain and breaks, it’s not easy. No excuses, but it’s tough for any batsman. So, start with the toss and get the advantage for India.”

He added that senior players and the coaching staff would help Gill and the team make a comeback after the defeat in Perth.

“As captain, he was tested in England too, and the team made a comeback there. You can expect the same from this team. They always fight back. It’s also a test for him as a captain. He has support from players like Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, and Gautam Gambhir,” Nayar said.

To end, Abhishek Nayar said there is no better place than Australia for a captain to prove himself and lead the team from a loss to a series win.

Rohit Sharma lost his captaincy in the ODI format ahead of the three-match ODI series against Australia down under, as Shubman Gill was appointed the new leader for the three encounters. Before the fixtures, his pictures impressed his fans as he seemed quite light and more fit towards the end of his career.

Abhishek Nayar, the former Indian coach, who spent a lot of time with Rohit before the latter’s departure to Australia, revealed how the Nagpur-born worked in this department to be his fittest version for the series down under.

See Also: [WATCH] 176.5 kph delivery!! Did Mitchell Starc bowl fastest ball to Rohit Sharma during AUS vs IND 1st ODI?

“Even I didn’t imagine that his weight would come down this much. We had tried this earlier, but the consistency that is needed for training and nutrition wasn’t there due to some tournaments or other events coming up. We had an uninterrupted 3 months here. To sum it up, for the first 5 weeks, it was a bodybuilder’s mindset where he was trying to train, completely lean down.” Nayar expressed during a recent interaction on Star Sports.

Watch: Abhishek Nayar talks about Rohit Sharma’s fitness ahead of AUS vs IND 2025 ODIs

Rohit didn’t have a great time in the opening clash of the ODI series at the Optus Stadium in Perth. He made just eight runs, including one boundary, before getting an outside edge into the hands of the slip fielders against Josh Hazlewood.

10 kilos down, 800 reps strong! 💪#AbhishekNayar breaks down @ImRo45's fitness journey - the hard work, the discipline, and the transformation behind the Hitman’s return. 🔥#AUSvIND 👉 1st ODI | LIVE NOW 👉 https://t.co/FkZ5L4CrRl pic.twitter.com/UKfDWdFUBN

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 19, 2025

“He was doing 700-800 reps of every body part. And then finishing every session with a 15-20 minute CrossFit fit, which is more cardio-based and movement-based. So it was 6 days a week, 3 hrs. a day, every single day for 3 months. It was non-stop. But the game doesn’t end there. We had to bring a change in his food habits.” The former Mumbai batter addressed.

“It was his commitment to go home and not indulge in the famous vadapav and everything else people talk about. That was his commitment to the sport. When your body loses weight, there’s a lot of change in the way you move, how you feel, so it was time to bring that into effect. So, it was a lot of hard work. To be a body builder, lean and athletic.” Abhishek Nayar explained.

India’s mystery spinner, Varun Chakravarthy, experienced an incredible time with the ball in the last few years, especially in the shortest format. He was incredible with the ball in the middle overs and the powerplay for the national side in the shortest format of the game. In 24 innings, he has collected 40 wickets at an average of 15.60 and an economy rate of under seven.

The Indian spinner looked back at the time when Abhishek Nayar, with contributions from Dinesh Karthik, brough him back the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL. The latter also called him to come Mumbai and go through a session for three continuous months.

See Also: "Gary and MS made it..."- Virat Kohli recalls advice from World Cup-winning captain and coach amid retirement speculation

“We are looking to pick, and he (Abhishek Nayar) told me. Obviously, DK (Dinesh Karthik) had a huge role in that. They are the ones who brought me back to KKR. The day after the auction, Nayar called me and asked me to come in Mumbai. He got me a room next to his house. So, me, Rahul Tripathi, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Nikhil Naik, and Prasidh Krishna used to live in a small apartment.”

Watch: Varun Chakvarthy reveals Abhishek Nayar’s contribution in his comeback to cricket

The Tamil Nadu spinner played a massive role for Kolkata in the last three years. Since the start of IPL 2022, he has picked up 58 wickets in 42 innings at an average of around 20 and an economy rate of nearly eight with the best figures of 4/15.

Varun chakravarthy on Abhishek Nayar 💜 pic.twitter.com/2yfWhPbQmN

— Ashish Shrivastava (@ashishayush1177) October 16, 2025

“We had to do all of our staffs day in and out for three months non-stop. In the morning, we had gym, and in the evening, we had to make dinner. Nayar also made us doing the Bollywood dance. He told me that we hadn’t have any movement. I think what he had in his mind was to be around the cricketers and know how they work.” The Karnataka-born addressed.

“Then I saw how Tripathi, Nagarkoti, and other used to wake up in the morning and go to gym. That was when I realized that there was some method to all this madness. I can’t sustain my career if I am not into this. There were sessions when he used us to visualize what would I say if I get the player of the match award.” Varun Chakravarthy shed light.

Former coach supports Gill’s appointment

“It’s not a phone call” – Nayar stresses clear communication

Former assistant coach of India ​​Abhishek Nayar recently shared how an iconic Amitabh Bachchan movie resonated with ODI captain Rohit Sharma emotionally. Nayar, who is also a close friend of Sharma, talked about the star batter's special bond with the Bollywood film in a conversation on the Sony Sports Network.

Nayar mentioned that Sharma got very sentimental while watching Sooryavansham, starring Bachchan in a double role as a father and son. He disclosed that it is the only movie where he saw the veteran opener cry. The cricketer-turned-coach said: "Woh ek picture hai jisme maine usko rote hue dekha hai. Ekdum senti ho jaate the wo. (That is one film where I have seen him cry. He got very sentimental.)" It is worth mentioning that Abhishek Nayar continues working closely with Rohit Sharma. He was seen monitoring the 38-year-old's gym session last month ahead of the upcoming season.

Rohit Sharma’s Cricketing Achievements

On the cricketing front, Rohit Sharma announced his retirement from the game of T20 internationals after India won the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy and your Test career ended shortly after that in May 2025. His last international appearance was in the 2025 Champions Trophy final match, where India defeated New Zealand by four wickets under his captaincy to win their first ODI trophy in 12 years. He was named Player of the Match for his key 76 runs off 83 balls.

Watch the video here

A fun game of songs for the stars 🎶

Don’t miss Abhishek Nayar's 𝘏𝘰𝘵𝘦𝘭 𝘊𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘢 at the end! 😅

Watch the #DPWorldAsiaCup2025 from Sept 9-28, LIVE on the Sony Sports Network TV channels & Sony LIV. #SonySportsNetwork pic.twitter.com/e0ssqApLx9

— Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) September 18, 2025

See Also: PCB set to file complaint against India captain over post-match comments amid Asia Cup 2025: Report

Meanwhile, Reports had suggested that the BCCI considered Rohit and Virat Kohli for the upcoming India A series against Australia, but the selectors did not include them. There is no question over Rohit’s place in ODIs, where he has scored 11,168 runs in 265 innings at an average of 48.76 and a strike rate of 92.80, including 32 centuries and 58 fifties, with a highest score of 264.