NAVI MUMBAI: Juggling head coach roles in both the Women's Premier League (WPL) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) is a monumental task. Former India all-rounder Abhishek Nayar, who helms the UP Warriorz in the WPL and the Kolkata Knight Riders in the IPL, is pioneering this dual responsibility. However, he has discovered a masterstroke to manage his workload for the upcoming WPL season: appointing the legendary Meg Lanning as captain of the UP Warriorz.
The 'Obvious Choice' for Leadership
During the team's pre-season press conference on Monday, Nayar revealed his strategy. He described Lanning, the former Australian skipper who led Delhi Capitals to three WPL finals, as "the best mind out there in women's cricket." For Nayar, the decision was straightforward. Forming a competitive squad required securing the finest captain available, someone capable of leading the group effectively. Lanning's presence, he admitted, simplifies his role immensely.
"Having Meg there makes things easier for me," Nayar stated, adding with a chuckle that she will "take all the pressure while I will be chilling, having coffee." He emphasized that the T20 format is particularly driven by captaincy, and securing a leader of Lanning's calibre was paramount for the team's success.
Lanning's Stellar Pedigree and New Challenge
Meg Lanning's credentials are unparalleled. As a player, she has won two ICC Women's Cricket World Cups and five ICC Women's T20 World Cups. As captain, she guided Australia to T20 World Cup triumphs in 2014, 2018, 2020, and 2023, and an ODI World Cup victory in 2022. In the WPL, she has been a consistent force, amassing 952 runs in 27 matches, famously opening with Shafali Verma for the Delhi Capitals.
Bought by UP Warriorz for Rs 1.9 crore at the auction, Lanning expressed excitement about her new chapter. She praised the balanced squad, highlighting the experience of players like Deepti Sharma and Harleen Deol, alongside promising young talent. Lanning is particularly eager to see explosive batter Kiran Navgire in action, noting her devastating form in the domestic season where she scored the fastest century for Maharashtra (off 33 balls). "She is extremely hard to stop when she gets going," Lanning remarked.
WPL's Impact on Indian Cricket Depth
Having competed in all three previous WPL seasons, Lanning provided keen insight into the tournament's transformative effect on Indian women's cricket. She observed a significant increase in the depth of talent, with more Indian players now capable of winning matches for their franchises, moving beyond reliance on a few big stars or internationals.
Lanning believes the WPL has been instrumental in exposing a broader pool of Indian players to high-pressure situations, complete with intense media scrutiny and large audiences. This exposure, she argued, directly contributed to the development seen in the Indian team, culminating in their historic maiden Women's ODI World Cup win last year. The competition, she said, prepares players to thrive under pressure, raising the overall standard of the game globally.
On the bowling front, Lanning is thrilled to reunite with veteran Indian pacer Shikha Pandey. She praised Pandey's experience, calmness under pressure, and versatility to bowl in any phase of the innings, which will be crucial in leading the team's pace attack.
For Abhishek Nayar, this WPL season marks a new journey into women's cricket, but his philosophy remains unchanged: it's about supporting the players and the captain to build a lasting legacy. With Meg Lanning at the helm, he is confident they have the perfect leader to navigate the challenges ahead.
