The Indian women’s cricket team is set to welcome a fresh face into its support staff once the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 concludes, with Nicholas Lee expected to take charge as the team’s new strength and conditioning coach.
According to a PTI report, Lee will officially join the squad after the WPL final on February 5 in Vadodara, stepping into a crucial role at a time when Indian women’s cricket is entering its most demanding phase. The first series for Lee would be an all-format tour to Australia, where India would play 3 T20Is, 3 ODIs and one solitary women’s Test that will be a day-night Test.
Who is Nicholas Lee, India’s new S&C coach?
Lee is not a new name in elite cricket circles. A former England first-class cricketer, he has quietly built a reputation as one of the more respected physical performance specialists in the game. His most recent assignment was with the Gulf Giants in the UAE’s ILT20, where he formed part of the franchise’s support staff during the tournament’s fourth edition.
Before that, Lee worked extensively with international teams. He served as Afghanistan’s men’s team strength and conditioning coach from early 2024 until the end of 2025, and prior to that, spent nearly four years as head of physical performance at the Bangladesh Cricket Board. He also had a long stint with Sri Lanka’s men’s team between 2016 and 2020 and earlier worked within Sussex County Cricket Club’s setup in England.
Until now, the team’s conditioning programme has largely been run through domestic systems and the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence. Bringing in someone with Lee’s international background suggests a clear push toward global best practices, especially after India’s breakthrough World Cup triumph in 2025.
Once the WPL wraps up, India face a packed Australian tour from February 15 to March 9. The schedule includes three T20Is, three ODIs where India will defend their world title, and a rare day-night Test at the Perth Stadium.
