Having taken charge of the franchise just ahead of the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season, Abhishek Nayar has admitted that his initial days in the role have not been smooth. Nayar stated that the distinct demands of women’s cricket have tested him in ways he did not fully anticipate. He further admitted that stepping into women’s cricket required a more hands-on approach than he had expected. 

"I'm wrapping my head around it. I think a lot of coaches that I spoke to before taking up this job told me, 'listen, be direct'. In men's cricket sometimes, because you've worked with them for a long time, there is that trust. So you say a certain thing; if you say 'listen, go over covers', they will know which ball to do it to (and) how to do it. In women's cricket, I think the attention to detail is a little more, so sometimes you need to sort of break it down in a lot of ways, and it's not as obvious as you think it is. So I feel it's a more hands-on job," Nayar said at the press conference.

"I'm also teaching myself every day that, 'listen Abhishek, open your mouth, talk', and you sometimes have to do it. They are so receptive to it, it's amazing. In men's cricket you have to be very 'what to talk, what not to'. I think in women's cricket, they are very receptive, so you can actually talk to them, you can get into those details. But I think trust takes time, and I'm working around that," he said.

Abhishek also touched upon Harleen Deol, who was retired out in UP's previous game against Delhi Capitals.

"I mean, Harleen and these things happen, and things come out; it becomes harder for me. It's different, it's fun, it's challenging, it's testing me in every which way, and sort of preparing me for the IPL also, in a different way. But I would say it's not been easy."

Meanwhile, UP Warriorz suffered three consecutive defeats at the start of their WPL 2026 campaign. However, on Thursday they turned things around, clinching a win against the Mumbai Indians to snap a three-match losing streak. Chasing a target of 161, the Warriorz found support through Harleen Deol, who played a magnificent knock of 64 not out to guide the side to victory. Harleen made a massive comeback after she was retired out in UP's previous game.