UP Warriors suffers a setback before the upcoming season of WPL, head coach John Lewis leaves the team

Before the start of the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), the UP Warriors have been dealt a major blow. Head coach John Lewis has stepped down from his role with the franchise. Lewis had been associated with the UP Warriors since the inception of the tournament and played a key role in guiding the team to the playoffs in the inaugural season. Under his guidance, the team performed admirably in the first edition and made it to the knockout stages, giving fans hope for a bright future.

However, things started to decline during the 2024 WPL season. UP Warriors finished the season in fourth place after managing to win only three out of the eight matches they played. Before that season began, the team had already suffered a major setback when their regular captain, Australian star Alyssa Healy, was ruled out due to injury. In her absence, Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma was given the responsibility to lead the side. While Deepti is one of India’s most experienced players, the team could not find momentum under her leadership.

Once again, UP Warriors ended the season with only three victories from eight matches. This time, the results were even more disappointing, as the team finished at the bottom of the points table. Despite a roster full of potential and talent, the squad failed to deliver consistent performances. With back-to-back underwhelming seasons, the pressure mounted on the coaching setup.

Over two seasons, the UP Warriors played a total of 25 matches under John Lewis's coaching, winning only nine of them. While he did help the team qualify for the playoffs once, the overall win percentage remained underwhelming. These statistics likely played a role in the decision for both parties to part ways. Although Lewis had contributed significantly to the team’s development, the lack of consistent results could not be ignored.

It is also important to note that this is not the first coaching position John Lewis has left in recent years. Before joining the UP Warriors, Lewis was the head coach of the England women’s national team, a position he held starting in 2022. However, his tenure with England ended after a disappointing 16-0 loss to Australia in the Women’s Ashes series. Following that defeat, Lewis stepped down from his England role, signaling that a change was needed for both himself and the team.

Despite the challenges and lackluster results in the win-loss column, Lewis did have moments of success with the UP Warriors. One of the team’s most notable achievements under his leadership came when they posted a record-breaking total of 225 runs in an innings against Royal Challengers Bangalore. This remains the highest team total in the three-year history of the Women’s Premier League and stands out as a testament to the team’s potential when in form.

With Lewis's departure, the UP Warriors will now begin their search for a new head coach ahead of the new WPL season. The management will be looking for someone who can bring in fresh ideas and instill confidence in the players. The upcoming season will be crucial for the franchise as they look to bounce back from a disappointing run and re-establish themselves as strong contenders in the WPL. For now, fans will wait to see who takes the reins and whether the team can finally live up to expectations in the seasons to come.