Charli Knott and Shipra Giri come from different cricketing cultures, but their journeys converged on the grand stage of the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Knott, the Australian all-rounder known for her balance between intent and control, arrived in the WPL with a resume built across the WBBL and England’s domestic competitions. Shipra, on the other hand, represents India’s emerging wicketkeeper-batter depth, shaped by the domestic grind and India A exposure.
Charli Knott (UP Warriorz)
Charli Knott’s debut in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) wasn’t just a career milestone; it showcased the potential she brings to the game. Playing for UP Warriorz Women, she made her first appearance on February 1, 2026, against Delhi Capitals Women in Vadodara. Knott scored a run-a-ball 12. Looking at her overall T20 record, it’s clear why franchises see her as a long-term investment.
In the Women’s Big Bash League, she has played in 68 matches, amassing 775 runs at an average of 18.45 and a strike rate of 118.68. Frequently positioned in the middle order, she tends to focus on scoring runs with intent rather than simply accumulating them. With 14 sixes and 86 fours to her name, she has also demonstrated the ability to finish innings with poise. Her top score of 55 in the WBBL illustrates that she can anchor the innings when needed. She also has 28 wickets to her name.
Her experience in The Hundred (Women’s 100) further enhances her T20 credentials. Over 12 matches, she scored 228 runs, averaging 20.72 with a strike rate of 123.24. These figures show her comfort level in short formats where quick decision-making is essential. One of her standout qualities is her knack for finding gaps rather than relying solely on power, which proves especially advantageous on slower pitches.
Shipra Giri (UP Warriorz)
Uttar Pradesh’s Shipra Ramdular Giri’s rise in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is truly an inspiring tale of dedication and perseverance. Born on June 24, 2002, Shipra embodies the spirit of the new generation of Indian women cricketers who are benefitting from clearer pathways and greater aspirations.
As a right-handed and wicketkeeper-batter, she is familiar for her keeping skills, making her a valuable asset in today’s T20 format. At just 23 years old, she already displays the poise of someone who knows how to handle the pressures of her role behind the stumps while also being a dynamic force with the bat.
Making her WPL debut with UP Warriorz Women was a significant milestone for Shipra. On February 1, 2026, she stepped onto one of the grandest stages in women’s cricket against Delhi Capitals Women in Vadodara. In that match, though she scored 9 runs off 8 balls, it was her keeping that impressed and enough the legend Meg Lanning, UP Warriorz captain, had words of appreciation for the young talent.
Post match, Meg Lanning said, “She was keeping up to the stumps… a really nice night for her. Hopefully that gives her some confidence.”
Loves all things female cricket