UP Warriorz have executed one of the most audacious rebuilds in Women’s Premier League history at the WPL 2026 mega auction, emerging with a star-studded squad headlined by former Australia captain Meg Lanning, England’s world No. 1 T20I bowler Sophie Ecclestone, and India’s ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 hero Deepti Sharma. Under new head coach Abhishek Nayar, the Capri Sports-owned franchise used their four Right-to-Match cards aggressively and spent big to assemble a side that blends proven champions with exciting young talent.
The marquee coup was undoubtedly Meg Lanning (₹2.75 crore), the most successful captain in women’s cricket history, who has played in every WPL final so far (2023 with Delhi Capitals, 2024 & 2025 with Royal Challengers Bengaluru). Lanning’s arrival instantly gives UP Warriorz a world-class top-order batter and proven big-match temperament. She will be joined by her compatriot Phoebe Litchfield (₹2.1 crore), the explosive 22-year-old left-hander who has been earmarked as Australia’s next superstar.
In a massive statement of intent, UP Warriorz exercised their RTM to bring back Sophie Ecclestone (₹2.4 crore), widely regarded as the best spinner in the women’s game, and Deepti Sharma (₹2.6 crore), who was named Player of the Tournament in India’s triumphant 2025 World Cup campaign and MVP in WPL Season 2. The spin duo’s reunion makes UP Warriorz’s attack arguably the most potent in the league.
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From India’s World Cup-winning squad, the franchise also secured stylish batter Harleen Deol, all-rounder Pratika Rawal, and promising seamer Kranti Goud, ensuring depth in both batting and pace bowling. The Warriorz further bolstered their Indian core by retaining captain Alyssa Healy, vice-captain Vrinda Dinesh, and uncapped talents like S Yashasri and Gouher Sultana.
After finishing fourth and third in the last two seasons, UP Warriorz have signaled they are no longer content with just making up the numbers. With Lanning’s leadership pedigree, Ecclestone–Deepti’s world-class spin pairing, and a refreshed Indian contingent riding the high of the 2025 World Cup triumph, the Lucknow-based franchise has assembled a squad that looks capable of challenging for the title when WPL 2026 begins in February.
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