As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) gears up for its fourth edition, a sense of renewal surrounds the UP Warriorz setup. The Capri Sports-owned franchise has chosen a bold path ahead of the WPL 2026 Mega Auction, retaining just one Indian uncapped player, the 21-year-old top-order batter Shweta Sehrawat, for 50 lakhs.
With only one retention and four Right-to-Match (RTM) cards, UPW hold a commanding purse of 14.5 crores, the highest of all franchises, leaving them with 17 slots to fill when the auction unfolds on November 27, 2025, in New Delhi.
For a side that started brightly in 2023 but has since struggled to translate flashes of potential into consistent success, this overhaul signals a decisive reset. Transitioning under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Abhishek Nayar, UP Warriorz are evidently building toward a fresher, younger, and more adaptable squad that aligns with their long-term ambitions.
Since their debut, the Warriorz have been among the WPL’s most entertaining outfits, featuring match-winners like Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone, and Deepti Sharma. Yet results have remained erratic. After finishing third in 2023, fourth in 2024, and bottom of the table in 2025, the team recognised the need for change.
Appointed earlier this year, Abhishek Nayar, the first Indian head coach in WPL history, has been entrusted with reshaping the franchise’s approach. On the decision to rebuild from the ground up, Nayar emphasised the importance of a renewed structure while maintaining an open door for former players.
“The UP Warriorz have had some tremendous players in the past seasons, but as we enter a new cycle in the WPL, it is essential to make a fresh start,” Nayar shared. “This does not in any way close the doors for our players to come back to the setup, and we are confident that the WPL Mega Auction will help us restructure our squad in a way that benefits the UP Warriorz.”
The Warriorz’s leadership echoed the strategic clarity behind the move. Kshemal Waingankar, COO of UP Warriorz, noted, “This decision marks a fresh beginning for us as we prepare for the new season. The size of our purse and the Right to Match mechanism allows us to plan strategically and also gives our Head Coach, Abhishek Nayar, the flexibility of building the most appropriate combination that would allow us to compete for the title.”
The retention of only Shweta Sehrawat, who first gained prominence as India’s standout performer in the inaugural ICC Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup 2023, reflects a clear commitment to developing young Indian talent. Sehrawat’s growing maturity and improved domestic form make her a valuable cornerstone for UPW’s new WPL 2026 project.
In the WPL 2025 season, she accumulated 119 runs at a strike rate of 113.33 and an average of 17 across seven innings. Overall, she has scored 261 runs in 23 matches at a strike rate of 103.98 since joining the league. For Delhi in the recently concluded Senior Women’s T20 Trophy Elite 2025, she recorded a breakout campaign, scoring 240 runs at an impressive strike rate of 144.57 and an average of 30 in eight innings. Her control and improved middle-over acceleration highlight a player refining her T20 game rapidly at the domestic level.
UP Warriorz Released Players:
Uma Chetry, Alyssa Healy, Arushi Goel, Chenelle Henry, Poonam Khemnar, Kiran Navgire, Georgia Voll, Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Kranti Gaud, Grace Harris, Dinesh Vrinda, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Anjali Sarvani, Chamari Athapaththu, Saima Thakor, Gouher Sultana, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
What truly caught attention, however, was UPW’s decision to release several established international and Indian names, Sophie Ecclestone, Grace Harris, Chinelle Henry, Deepti Sharma, and Kranti Gaud, among them. These exits, though surprising, underline the franchise’s shift in direction.
UP Warriorz’s earlier WPL campaigns displayed moments of brilliance, finishing third in 2023 after winning four matches and qualifying for the knockouts, before suffering a heavy 72-run defeat to eventual champions Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator. But subsequent seasons saw diminishing returns, as the team managed only three wins each in 2024 and 2025, ending fourth and fifth, respectively, on the points table.
With a massive 14.5 crore purse and four RTMs at their disposal, UP Warriorz are expected to be among the busiest franchises on auction day. Their approach will likely blend youthful Indian prospects with a few marquees international names, seeking a balance between explosiveness and composure.
The WPL’s first three seasons have witnessed Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals dominate, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru breaking through for their maiden title in 2024. For UP Warriorz, this Mega Auction represents both risk and opportunity, a chance to redefine identity and competitiveness in a league evolving in both depth and intensity.
As the calendar moves swiftly toward November 27, all eyes will be on how Abhishek Nayar’s Warriorz shape their new vision. For a team with unmatched auction resources and a hunger for resurgence, WPL 2026 might just mark the dawn of a fresh and formidable UP Warriorz era.
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