Zakir Khan Becomes UP Warriorz’ Chief Jugaad Officer in One of WPL’s Most Entertaining Coach Reveals

UP Warriorz launched a bold new campaign starring Zakir Khan to unveil their new head coach Abhishek Nayar. With comedy, nostalgia, and cricket in one frame, the reveal has fans cheering.

When cricket meets comedy and nostalgia walks hand in hand with storytelling, the result is a campaign that instantly grabs attention. UP Warriorz, owned by Capri Sports and one of the founding teams of the Women’s Premier League, unveiled their new head coach for Season 4 in a way no sports franchise in India has done before. They turned to none other than Zakir Khan, the beloved comedian and cricket enthusiast, for a fictional role that quickly became the heart of their latest fan-first initiative.

The campaign titled “Coach ki Khoj” began with an open call for a Chief Journey Officer, a role created purely to entertain and engage fans on the hunt for the next head coach. Answering that call in true Zakir style, the comedian declared himself the Chief Jugaad Officer and began his humorous quest to track down the right name. The journey led him to Bombay Scottish School, the alma mater of Abhishek Nayar, the newly appointed head coach. The reveal video that followed was a warm and funny blend of childhood nostalgia, cricketing spirit, and Zakir’s effortless humor.

This is not the first time UP Warriorz have pushed boundaries in sports storytelling. From their “Papa Ki Warriorz” campaign to unique social collaborations like “Trash Talk Cleanup” with Navya Nanda, the franchise has consistently found creative ways to reach its audience. The team has also tapped into pop culture with past appearances by Katrina Kaif, Shweta Tripathi, Ali Fazal, and digital creator Mithika Dwivedi. With “Coach ki Khoj”, they have once again proved that sports content can be just as emotionally rich and culturally resonant as mainstream entertainment.

For Zakir Khan, this was more than a cameo. Known for his strong bond with cricket, both in his personal life and through his performances, this collaboration gave him a chance to merge his passions and connect with fans in a new way. His on-screen presence brought a sense of relatability to the campaign, drawing in not just cricket lovers but also audiences who admire his storytelling craft.

Jinisha Sharma, Director of Capri Sports, called the reveal a full circle moment. Both she and Abhishek Nayar went to the same school, and announcing the head coach at that very location added an emotional layer to the campaign. Zakir, she said, was the perfect fit for the story because of his deep love for cricket and his unmatched ability to connect with people through emotion and humor.

Zakir himself described the experience as fun and fulfilling. He expressed excitement about working closely with UP Warriorz and the chance to create moments that fans will remember long after the season ends. With this campaign, UP Warriorz have not just revealed a coach, they have set a new standard for how sports storytelling can entertain and inspire all at once.

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