UP Warriorz step into the fourth edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) at a defining juncture, hungry for redemption after a rollercoaster ride of third place in 2023, fourth in 2024, and a dismal wooden spoon in 2025. The first phase is unfolding at DY Patil Stadium, and the second shifting to Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara through February 5.
Retaining prodigious top-order talent Shweta Sehrawat and unleashing RTM firepower to reclaim Deepti Sharma at a record 3.2 CR (second only to Smriti Mandhana’s 3.4 CR), Sophie Ecclestone for a steal at 85 Lakhs, Kiran Navgire (60 Lakhs), and Kranti Gaud (50 Lakhs), the Warriorz infused Caribbean explosiveness with Deandra Dottin, stylish intent via Phoebe Litchfield (1.20 CR), all-round depth from Chloe Tryon (30 Lakhs), seasoned nous with Shikha Pandey (2.40 CR) and Asha Sobhana (1.10 CR), and youth mastery through U19 World Cup hero Gongadi Trisha (10 Lakhs) and ODI champion Pratika Rawal (50 Lakhs).
Though USA pacer Tara Norris (10 Lakhs) bows out for international duty, replaced by promising Aussie all-rounder Charli Knott, this squad brims with flexibility. In this piece, we dissect the best possible XI to propel Lanning’s charges from promise to playoffs.
UP Warriorz Squad for WPL 2026:
Shweta Sehrawat, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, Simran Shaikh, Shipra Giri (wk), Deandra Dottin, Charli Knott, Shikha Pandey, Gongadi Trisha, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, Kranti Gaud, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana
Best Possible Playing 11 for UP Warriorz in WPL 2026:
1] Meg Lanning (C)
At 33, Meg Lanning trades Delhi Capitals’ colours for UP Warriorz’s golden ambitions, joining at 1.90 CR to captain and open the innings in WPL 2026. The veteran Australian, who steered Delhi to atop the table and direct final berths across three seasons, only to endure runners-up heartbreak each time, brings unyielding poise after amassing 952 runs for Delhi in 27 innings at a blistering 127.10 strike rate and 39.66 average, powered by nine half-centuries. Now, Lanning’s blade-sharp technique and tactical nous could unlock Warriorz’ rebuilt firepower, turning past near-misses into glory.
2] Phoebe Litchfield
Phoebe Litchfield, the 22-year-old Australian prodigy, swaps Gujarat Giants’ uncertainty for UP Warriorz clarity after her 1.20 CR mega-auction move on November 27, 2025, poised to ignite as opener beside skipper Meg Lanning. Hampered by role flux in her prior two seasons, she tallied 199 runs in 14 matches and innings at a 114.36 strike rate and 15.30 average, her stylish left-handed flair craving consistency. This WPL 2026, Lanning’s steady anchor could unleash Litchfield’s game-changing potential at the top, forging a top-order blitz to redefine Warriorz’ fortunes.
3] Shweta Sehrawat
Shweta Sehrawat, the 21-year-old sensation and UP Warriorz loyalist since the inaugural WPL, ranks as the franchise’s sixth-highest run-scorer with 261 runs in 23 matches and 20 innings at a punchy 103.98 strike rate and 13.73 average, yet to claim her maiden half-century. Retained as the sole pre-auction anchor, she eyes No. 3 in 2026, slotting behind Lanning-Litchfield fireworks with a massive shot at breakthrough stardom. This season could transform her promise into Warriorz’ pivotal glue, turning top-order momentum into match-winning totals.
4] Kiran Navgire
Kiran Navgire, the 31-year-old top-order stalwart and UP Warriorz original, stands as the franchise’s fourth-highest run-scorer with 419 runs in 25 matches and 24 innings at an explosive 140.13 strike rate and 17.45 average, including three half-centuries, delivering fiery starts since the inaugural edition. Reclaimed via RTM for 60 Lakhs, she slots at No. 4 in 2026, primed alongside Shweta Sehrawat for a breakthrough season. With Lanning’s guidance, Navgire’s impact could finally morph into match-winning mastery, stabilising the middle for Warriorz’ redemption charge.
5] Simran Shaikh
Simran Shaikh, the 23-year-old dynamo, returns to her UP Warriorz roots post-inaugural edition, after a Gujarat Giants stint, bringing 83 runs from 15 matches and 12 innings at a 90.21 strike rate across her WPL journey. Slotting at No. 5 in 2026, her youthful promise slots perfectly into the middle-order, bridging Navgire’s aggression with finishing flair. In Lanning’s rebuilt setup, Shaikh could seize this homecoming to ignite chases and accelerate innings at DY Patil and Kotambi.
6] Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma, the 28-year-old Indian all-round maestro and Player of the Tournament at the 13th ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, has anchored UP Warriorz since its inception with dual-threat mastery. As franchise No. 2 run-scorer, she boasts 507 runs in 25 matches and 24 innings at a 117.63 strike rate and 28.16 average, including three half-centuries, while claiming 27 wickets (No. 2 bowler) at 29.29 average and 8.29 economy, highlighted by a four-wicket haul. At No. 6 in 2026, reclaimed via landmark 3.2 CR RTM, Deepti looms central in bowling, her off spin poised to strangle middle overs and propel Warriorz’ resurgence.
7] Deandra Dottin
Deandra Dottin, the explosive 34-year-old Caribbean all-rounder, electrifies UP Warriorz after her November 27, 2025, mega-auction move, fresh off Gujarat Giants stints, including a controversial pre-2023 exit and 2025 return. In 8 matches and innings last season, she blazed 142 runs at a ferocious 154.34 strike rate and 23.66 average, while snaring 9 wickets at 27.77 average and 8.42 economy. At No. 7 in 2026, the “Universe Boss” looms as a backend batting detonator, with powerplay pace partnering Kranti Gaud and death-over strikes alongside Shikha Pandey, primed to flip tight contests.
8] Sophie Ecclestone
Sophie Ecclestone, the 26-year-old English left-arm spin wizard and UP Warriorz mainstay since the inaugural edition, reigns as the franchise’s top wicket-taker with 36 scalps in 25 matches and innings at an elite 18.38 average and 6.68 economy, including a four-wicket haul. Her lower-order cameos add 187 runs in 25 matches and 20 innings at a 121.42 strike rate and 11.68 average. At No. 8 in 2026, reclaimed via RTM for 85 Lakhs, she pairs with Deepti Sharma to dominate spin webs, while handy batting bursts could extend Warriorz innings.
9] Shikha Pandey
Shikha Pandey, the seasoned 36-year-old bowling all-rounder, bolsters UP Warriorz after her 2.40 CR mega-auction switch on November 27, 2025, departing Delhi Capitals, where she ranked as their No. 2 wicket-taker with 30 scalps in 27 matches and innings at a stingy 23.20 average and 6.96 economy. Her batting cameos for Delhi added 93 runs in 10 innings at a brisk 114.81 strike rate and 23.25 average. At No. 9 in 2026, Pandey eyes death-over mastery, her wily seam primed to choke rivals and seal Warriorz victories on Navi Mumbai and Vadodara decks.
10] Asha Sobhana
Asha Sobhana, the battle-hardened 34-year-old leg-spinner, fortifies UP Warriorz’ attack post-mega auction, reuniting after missing 2025 through injury, having ranked RCB’s No. 3 wicket-taker with 17 scalps in 15 matches and innings at 19.23 average and 7.60 economy, capped by a five-wicket haul in her first two seasons. In 2026, she meshes with Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone to form a spin triumvirate of guile, variety, and venom, off-spin, left-arm darts, and leg-breaks primed to suffocate batters on DY Patil’s grip and Kotambi’s bite.
11] Kranti Gaud
Kranti Gaud, the 22-year-old pace sensation, returns to UP Warriorz for the fourth edition after her breakout 2025 campaign, where 6 wickets in 8 matches and innings at 34.66 average and 9.45 economy, including a four-wicket haul that propelled her to India’s squad for their historic first ICC ODI title win. In 2026, she spearheads the seam attack alongside Shikha Pandey’s death-over nous and Deandra Dottin’s powerplay fire, blending raw speed with experience to dismantle top orders at DY Patil and Kotambi.
The UP Warriorz step into the Meg Lanning–Abhishek Nayar era from 10th January 2026, against Gujarat Giants led by skipper Ashleigh Gardner at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, from 3:30 PM IST in the first game of the maiden double-header Saturday in WPL history.
Loves all things female cricket