The UP Warriorz have announced the departure of Jon Lewis as head coach, concluding a three-year association that saw the franchise experience both early promise and recent challenges in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). The decision, confirmed via a social media post by the franchise on June 28, marks the end of a chapter as the team looks to chart a new course following a difficult 2025 season.
Lewis, a former England fast bowler, took over the reins of the Warriorz ahead of the WPL’s inaugural season in 2023. Lewis, a former England fast bowler, took reins of the Warriorz ahead of the WPL’s inaugural season in 2023. Under his guidance, the team delivered an impressive performance in their maiden campaign, finishing third before bowing out to eventual champions Mumbai Indians in the eliminator by 72 runs. The strong start raised hopes among the Warriorz faithful and set expectations for future campaigns.
However, sustained success proved elusive. The Warriorz finished fourth in 2024, a season marked by inconsistency and injury troubles. In 2025, despite flashes of brilliance from the likes of Chinelle Henry, Kranti Goud, including a record-setting 225 for 5 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (headlined by Georgia Voll’s unbeaten 99), the side struggled to find momentum.
The campaign ended with the Warriorz at the bottom of the table, with 3 wins from 8 games, compounding a disappointing run that saw the team grappling with both form and injuries to key players. The transition to a new leader, Deepti Sharma, as captain, in the absence of their regular skipper, Alyssa Healy to injury for the 2025 season, added further complexity to the campaign.
Lewis’ stint in the WPL coincided with his responsibilities as head coach of England Women, a role he assumed in November 2022. Juggling the demands of two high-profile coaching assignments, Lewis strove to bring his international experience and tactical acumen to the Warriorz camp.
However, earlier this year, he stepped down from his England position in the wake of a challenging period that culminated in a heavy Ashes defeat, getting whitewashed by Australia across formats.
As they bid farewell to Lewis, UP Warriorz will now begin the search for a new head coach to revitalise their campaign ahead of WPL 2026. The franchise, which boasts the record for the highest team total in WPL history, remains an attractive destination for coaching talent.
The next appointment will hope to build on the foundation set by Lewis, address the squad’s inconsistencies, and turn their record-breaking potential into sustained team success.
While the UP Warriorz have yet to release an official statement beyond their social media announcement, the move signals a period of transition for the side. A mutual decision underscores the desire for a fresh start following a disappointing season and reflects an ongoing commitment to raising standards and competing at the highest level in women’s cricket.
As the WPL gathers momentum and continues to raise the standard of women’s cricket in India, the Warriorz’s journey post-Lewis will be keenly watched by fans and analysts alike.
