The UP Warriorz are set for a fresh start in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, with Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma stepping into the captaincy role. The Agra-born cricketer replaces Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy, who has been ruled out due to a stress injury in her right foot.
This marks a significant moment for both the franchise and Deepti, as she becomes the first UP Warriorz captain to lead the team at their home ground—the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The announcement was made in a grand fashion, with former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina revealing her appointment live on a Cricket Live show before India’s ODI match against England.
Since the inception of the WPL, Deepti has been a key pillar for the Warriorz. Across 17 matches, she has contributed significantly with both bat and ball, scoring 385 runs in 16 innings and taking 19 wickets. Her WPL 2024 campaign was particularly impressive, where she amassed 295 runs in eight innings at a strike rate of 136.57 and an average of 98.33. She also picked up ten wickets at an economy rate of 7.23.
Her leadership experience is another asset for the Warriorz. Deepti has previously captained Bengal in domestic cricket, led East Zone in the Senior Women’s Inter-Zonal One Day Trophy in 2024, and also captained Velocity in the Women’s T20 Challenge in 2022.
Taking on the responsibility of leading a franchise from her home state is a special milestone for Deepti. Expressing her emotions, she shared, “I am delighted and honoured to be named captain of the UP Warriorz, which is a team from my home state. The UP Warriorz has a fantastic squad, and we are confident that we will entertain our fans with the Warriorz brand of cricket, at the WPL this season as well. We can’t wait to play in Lucknow in front of our home fans and hope to inspire the next generation of women athletes.”
UP Warriorz made the playoffs in the first edition of the WPL but fell short in WPL 2024. With a new leader at the helm, they aim to go the distance this season. The team will play their first-ever home games in Lucknow, facing Gujarat Giants on March 3, Mumbai Indians on March 6, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru on March 8.
Though Deepti’s leadership adds fresh energy to the squad, the absence of Healy will be felt. The Australian captain was the franchise’s top run-getter in WPL history, amassing 428 runs in 17 matches. Healy has had a tough time with injuries, missing parts of the Women’s Ashes, the 2024 T20 World Cup, and most recently, the WBBL 2024-25 season. To fill the gap, the Warriorz have roped in West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry as Healy’s replacement.
Apart from her WPL heroics, Deepti has been a standout performer in franchise cricket worldwide. She played a crucial role in helping London Spirit clinch The Hundred title in 2024. Her experience in Australia’s WBBL, where she represented Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder, further strengthens her credentials as a leader.
On the international stage, Deepti is among the finest all-rounders India has produced. She has played 124 T20Is, scoring 1086 runs, with two half-centuries to her name. With the ball, she is India’s highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is, claiming 138 scalps. In a historic feat, she became the first Indian—male or female—to take 100 T20I wickets during the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup.
The team’s ownership is confident that Deepti’s appointment will usher in a new era for the franchise. Expressing her support for the new captain, Jinisha Sharma, Director of Capri Sports, stated, “Deepti is one of the most versatile and impactful players in Indian cricket, and we are thrilled to have her lead UP Warriorz this season.
“Her sharp cricketing mind, all-round abilities, and calm leadership under pressure make her the ideal captain to guide this team. As a world-class match-winner and a fierce competitor, Deepti has time and again proven her ability to turn the game around. With her at the helm, we are confident that UP Warriorz will play fearless, dynamic cricket and make our fans proud.”
The UP Warriorz will begin their WPL 2025 campaign against Gujarat Giants on February 16 in Vadodara. With a solid squad and an inspirational leader in Deepti Sharma, the team is determined to make a strong statement this season.
(Quotes sourced from UP Warriorz Press Release)
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