3 reasons why UP Warriorz are favourites to win the ongoing WPL 2026
Because of their poor 2025 season, UP Warriorz decided to retain only one player before the mega auction. This gave them a full budget and a chance to rebuild the team from scratch. With these changes, here are three reasons why UP Warriorz are favourites to win WPL 2026.
UP Warriorz are looking to make a strong comeback after a disappointing 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. After major changes in the off-season, the team is ready to start fresh. The franchise now has a new captain, Meg Lanning, and a new coach, Abhishek Nayar. UP Warriorz will begin their WPL 2026 campaign against Gujarat Giants on Saturday, January 10, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
UP Warriorz have gone backwards since their first season. In their debut campaign, they reached the Eliminator. However, in 2025, they finished at the bottom of the table with only three wins. Many key players were either unavailable or did not perform well.
Because of the poor season, UP Warriorz decided to retain only one player before the mega auction. This gave them a full purse and a chance to rebuild the team from scratch.
With these changes in place, let us look at three reasons why UP Warriorz are favourites to win WPL 2026.
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1. A Proven Leader in Meg Lanning
UP Warriorz first chose Alyssa Healy as captain, and Deepti Sharma also led the team during the 2025 season. However, these decisions did not work well for the franchise. Now, the team has made a big upgrade by bringing in one of the greatest captains in women’s cricket, Meg Lanning.
Meg Lanning was released by Delhi Capitals, and UP Warriorz took full advantage of the opportunity. With the legendary Australian joining the team, the franchise has filled a major gap. Her leadership skills can make a big difference.
Lanning brings vast experience and a strong record as a leader. She knows how to get the best out of players, especially young talents. This could be the missing piece that UP Warriorz needed to move past average performances and become strong contenders in the WPL.
2. A More Balanced and Stronger Squad After the WPL 2026 Auction
UP Warriorz took a bold step by releasing big names like Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone. However, this move worked in their favour, as they bought both players back at much lower prices during the auction.
The franchise used its large budget wisely to build a well-rounded team. They now have a strong top order, powerful middle-order batters, quality all-rounders, and a much-improved bowling attack. Overall, the team looks more balanced and stronger than before.
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3. Match Winners in Every Department
New signings such as Deandra Dottin, Shikha Pandey, and Asha Sobhana add extra strength to the squad. These players can change the course of a match on their own if they perform well.
Shikha Pandey’s presence as a lead fast bowler is a big boost for UP Warriorz. The team had lacked a reliable pace bowler in the last few seasons. Her experience and skills greatly improve the bowling unit.
Deandra Dottin’s all-round ability, especially her powerful hitting in the middle overs, is another key advantage. UP Warriorz struggled with their previous overseas all-rounder, but Dottin’s aggressive batting can provide quick runs and support batters who prefer to build long innings.
Spin bowling remains a major strength for UP Warriorz. Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma can deliver eight strong overs consistently. This department has improved further with the addition of Asha Sobhana, who adds more variety and depth.
Earlier, the team lacked a quality wrist spinner. Alana King could not find a regular place, while Parshavi Chopra was too inexperienced. Asha Sobhana now fills that gap and strengthens the spin attack.
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