‘I believe in overcoming challenges’: Abhishek Nair on New Up Warriz Head Coach | Cricket news
Mumbai: Abhishek Nair has gone for his next challenge in coaching life – and this time something is completely different, his coaching resumes so far. On Friday, former Assistant Coach of India, who is currently an assistant coach of Kolkata Knight Riders (2024 IPL Champions), was nominated as the head coach of Lucknow -based UP Warriers – one of the five teams in the Women’s Premier League. Nayar is also the patron of T20 Mumbai League winner Mumbai South Central Maratha Royals this year. He has also been a patron and motivator for some top batsmen of India’s Cricket-India ODI Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer and Dinesh Karthik who has credited Nair to help Nair change his game.In a special interview with TOI immediately after his appointment for the job, Nair, a former India and Mumbai all-rounder share their vision for the Lucknow-based side and what he can bring to the table, especially in the light of his huge coaching experience.Some excerpts:This will be your first term as a head coach in a female franchise league. What was this about the UP Warriz project that said yes to you? You have played many roles in Indian cricket – what is this one?Well, I have been involved in a very small capacity with them (in the past), which is in relation to helping them with camps etc., so I just felt connected to the franchise.When a team like UP UP with great ambitions, but there is no title yet, the call does not come – how do you see that challenge as a coach? What is the title benchmark, or is the process priority?I like to keep things simple. I do not believe in expectations. I believe that there is going to be a challenge to overcome the challenges and win a (WPL) trophy, so I am expecting collectively as a team, we can overcome that challenge.You are taking over from John Lewis, who brought a strong international lineage to the role. How do you plan to construct on that foundation by bringing your own coaching ethos?John and I have worked together in some camps and I enjoyed working with them and learned some things about coaching to women cricketers. Every coach has a style and I have mine. Hopefully, girls respond to my style and we can keep a good show.From Rohit Sharma and Dinesh Karthik to KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer, you have made a big impact on the development of many players. What is the origin of your coaching philosophy – and how will it translate into the franchise like WPL?My coaching philosophy is simple: serve the player and create an atmosphere of high performance. I will try to stick to him, and then leave the rest that means being.How closely has the development of women’s cricket in India followed, especially since WPL started? What excite you the most about this ecosystem?I have made a lot of comment on women’s cricket and with the England women’s team is included in the camps for John Lewis (former England and UP Warriz Head Coach), so I have a fair idea of what is going on.
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Do you believe that Abhishek Nair can take UP Warrier for his first WPL title?
You have attended three title winning campaigns in the last 18 months. How did those experiences shape your leadership style before this new journey?Well, it has been an exciting 18 months for me as a coach. I had a rocky start, but on the way, the failure taught me what it seems to be successful. Now, coaching includes a lot of luck and a lot of hard work. I will not reduce hard work and preparation bit. Hopefully, we have some luck.You often serve as a patron, strategy and motivator behind the curtain. Now as a front-faceing head coach, how do you see your role developing? Will your approach change completely?(Laughing). Well, a head coach is also behind the curtain. The game is always about the players, never about the coach. I was, and will be behind the curtain, while the players (right) take the center.You are a glorious product of Mumbai cricket, where flexibility and ‘Khadoos’ Bhavna is part of DNA. Do you see yourself bringing that mindset into UP Warriez setup?No. I believe to try to increase a player’s DNA for them to perform at a higher level than normal, which in turn fulfills the team’s purpose, goal and vision. What I did and how I played and will never happen that I will try and join the players. The time to do this is very short. But hopefully, providing a structure and direction can lead to an approach.
