As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 approaches, UP Warriorz find themselves at an important crossroads. After seasons of promise mixed with inconsistency, the franchise enters the new campaign with renewed ambition and a squad shaped to challenge the league’s elite. Experience, tactical depth and emerging flair form the backbone of their setup, with several players poised to play defining roles across different phases of the tournament.
The Warriorz possess match-winners capable of altering games on their own. Identifying the individuals who can consistently deliver under pressure will be central to how far UP Warriorz progress this season and these five names stand out as the ones to watch.
Meg Lanning
The most exciting player to watch out for UP Warriorz this season is their captain, Meg Lanning. One of the most successful captains in the history of women’s cricket. During her tenure with Australia, she oversaw an era of sustained dominance, guiding the team to two ODI World Cup titles and five T20 World Cup victories, along with multiple Ashes wins. Her leadership has also translated seamlessly into franchise cricket, where she captained Delhi Capitals to consecutive WPL finals, underlining her ability to build consistently competitive sides.
Beyond her captaincy, Lanning remains a reliable run-getter at the top of the order. She has scored 952 runs in 27 WPL matches at a strike rate above 127, combining composure with controlled aggression. Known for her calm decision-making and tactical awareness, Lanning brings structure and belief to a UP Warriorz side aiming to convert potential into sustained success. In the recent Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season, Lanning enjoyed a prolific run, scoring 479 in 11 matches, highlighted by a commanding 135, underlining her appetite for big occasions.
Deepti Sharma
UP Warriorz made their intent clear ahead of WPL 2026 by getting Deepti Sharma for ₹3.20 crore using the Right to Match card, reaffirming her status as the franchise’s most indispensable player. One of the finest all-rounders in world cricket, Deepti offers balance, versatility and control qualities that make her central to UP Warriorz’s plans across formats and conditions. Across her three WPL seasons so far, Deepti has delivered consistently with both bat and ball, scoring 507 runs in 25 matches at a strike rate of 117.63 while also claiming 27 wickets at an economy of 8.29.
Those numbers reflect her ability to influence games in multiple phases, whether stabilizing the innings during a collapse, accelerating in the death overs, or breaking partnerships with her intelligent off spin. Her value extends well beyond league cricket. Deepti enters WPL 2026 on the back of a stellar international year, having been named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, where she played a defining role in India’s title triumph. She finished the tournament with 215 runs and 22 wickets, showcasing her rare ability to deliver under sustained pressure on the biggest stage.
Sophie Ecclestone
The UP Warriorz further solidified their bowling strength by retaining England’s premier left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone, a move that reflects her standing as one of the most dominant bowlers in world cricket. Currently ranked No. 1 in the ICC Women’s ODI bowling rankings, Ecclestone brings elite pedigree and unmatched consistency to the Warriorz setup. Her WPL record reinforces that reputation. Since the league’s inception, Ecclestone has claimed 36 wickets in 25 matches at an impressive economy rate of 6.68, regularly delivering breakthroughs while keeping scoring in check.
Her memorable 4/13 in the inaugural season remains one of the standout spells in tournament history, emblematic of her ability to shift momentum in a matter of overs. When paired with Deepti Sharma, the duo forms one of the most formidable spin combinations in the league. Beyond her bowling, Ecclestone adds valuable depth with the bat. She has scored 187 runs in 25 WPL matches at a strike rate above 121, offering late order hitting that gives UP Warriorz added flexibility. Ecclestone’s role will be pivotal. Her ability to control games, deliver under pressure and lead by example positions her as a key figure in UP Warriorz’s push for consistency and a deeper run in the tournament.
Shikha Pandey
Experience and control form the backbone of Shikha Pandey’s value to the UP Warriorz, and her inclusion adds much-needed stability to the pace attack. One of India’s most reliable fast bowlers over the past decade, Pandey arrives with a reputation for discipline, tactical awareness and the ability to deliver in pressure situations. Across her WPL career, Pandey has taken 30 wickets in 27 innings while maintaining an economy rate comfortably under 7 runs per over, making her one of the most economical Indian seamers in the league. Her best figures of 3/23 underline her knack for striking without compromising control.
Unlike many pace bowlers who rely purely on speed, Pandey’s strength lies in her accuracy, movement off the seam and ability to hit hard lengths consistently. Pandey’s role becomes especially crucial in the powerplay and at the death. With the new ball, she can exploit early movement to create breakthroughs, while her experience allows her to adjust lengths and pace variations in the final overs.
5. Phoebe Litchfield
Few young batters in world cricket generate as much excitement as Phoebe Litchfield, and UP Warriorz will be hoping the Australian left-hander takes another significant step forward this season. Still only in her early twenties, Litchfield combines fearless stroke play with a mature understanding of tempo, a rare blend that makes her a dangerous top-order option in T20 cricket. In the WPL so far, Litchfield has scored 199 runs in 14 matches, showing glimpses of her attacking potential.
While those numbers don’t yet reflect her full ability, her international form suggests a player on the verge of a breakthrough season. In T20Is for Australia, she has accumulated over 440 runs, striking at a rate north of 140, often setting the tone with aggressive starts.
With a squad shaped by experience, balance and evolving depth, UP Warriorz head into WPL 2026 with genuine belief. The mix of seasoned leaders, world class performers and rising talent gives the side the tools to challenge strongly across the season, provided they find early momentum. Their campaign gets underway with a high stakes opening fixture against Gujarat Giants on January 10, offering fans the first glimpse of how these combinations come together under the legendary Meg Lanning.
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