UP Warriorz

WPL 2026 playoffs: Qualification scenarios for RCB, GG, MI, DC and UPW

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 22:30:58 GMT

Gujarat Giants kept their WPL 2026 playoff hopes alive with a thrilling three-run win over Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. In Match 17, GG defended 174 successfully, restricting Delhi to 171 for eight in a tense finish.

Batting first, Gujarat posted 174/9, with Beth Mooney anchoring the innings through a composed 58 off 46 balls. Anushka Sharma chipped in with a quick 39 from 25 deliveries, while Tanuja Kanwer added valuable late runs with 21 off 11. For Delhi, Shree Charani was the standout bowler, picking up 4/31 in her four overs.

Delhi’s chase never fully settled after they slipped to 85/5. Niki Prasad’s impressive 47 off 24 balls gave them hope, but Sophie Devine (4/37) and Rajeshwari Gayakwad (3/20) held their nerve to seal a narrow win for Gujarat.

With only three league matches remaining in WPL 2026, Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the only side already assured of a playoff spot. The remaining four teams are still battling for the final two positions. Here’s how the qualification scenarios stack up.

1 Royal Challengers Bengaluru (10 points, NRR +0.947)

RCB began the tournament with five consecutive wins before losing their last two matches. Despite that dip, they remain in a commanding position.

A win against UP Warriorz in their final league match will take them to 12 points and confirm a direct entry into the final. Even if they lose that game, RCB are still highly likely to finish at the top, as Gujarat Giants are the only other team that can reach 10 points and are unlikely to overtake Bengaluru on net run rate.

2 Gujarat Giants (8 points, NRR -0.271)

Gujarat’s campaign has been a roller coaster. After two early wins, they suffered three straight defeats before bouncing back with consecutive victories. With eight points from seven matches, a win in their final league game will guarantee them a playoff berth, as no other team can reach 10 points in that scenario.

If GG lose to Mumbai Indians, things get complicated. They would then need UP Warriorz to lose to RCB and beat Delhi Capitals. In that case, GG and MI would finish on eight points, while DC and UPW would end on six. However, if multiple teams are tied on eight points, Gujarat’s inferior net run rate could still cost them a place in the playoffs.

3 Mumbai Indians (6 points, NRR +0.146)

Defending champions Mumbai Indians have also endured an inconsistent season, winning three of their seven matches so far. Their recent victory over RCB has kept them firmly in the hunt.

ALSO SEE: Why did Joe Root miss out on England’s 2026 T20 World Cup squad?

A win against Gujarat Giants in their final league match should be enough to secure qualification. If several teams finish on eight points, Mumbai’s relatively healthy net run rate is expected to work in their favour.

If MI lose to GG, they will need Delhi to lose to UP Warriorz and RCB to beat UPW. In that situation, MI, DC and UPW would all finish on six points, allowing Mumbai to progress on net run rate.

4 Delhi Capitals (6 points, NRR -0.164)

Delhi have mirrored Mumbai’s inconsistency. After starting with two losses, they won three of their next four games before losing narrowly to Gujarat. A victory over UP Warriorz in their final league match will take DC to eight points and confirm qualification. UPW would then remain on six points.

Delhi are also guaranteed to finish ahead of at least one of Gujarat or Mumbai. If GG beat MI, Mumbai will stay on six points. If MI beat GG, both MI and DC will have eight points, but Delhi’s net run rate would still keep them ahead of Gujarat in that scenario.

5 UP Warriorz (4 points, NRR -0.769)

UP Warriorz currently sit at the bottom of the table but are the only team with two matches remaining. They have four points from six games and still have an outside chance of making the playoffs.

UPW must win both their remaining matches against RCB and Delhi, and also hope that Gujarat beat Mumbai. That combination would leave RCB and GG on 10 points, with UPW sneaking into third place on eight points. If UPW finish on eight points alongside MI and GG, they will need a significant improvement in net run rate to stay ahead of at least one of those teams.

Should UPW lose to RCB and remain on six points, their qualification chances become extremely slim. They would then need a big win over Delhi and hope that Gujarat defeat Mumbai by a large margin, setting up a three-way tie on six points where net run rate would decide the final playoff spot.

Watch: Kranti Gaud’s special dance video on ‘Raja Koi Lo Piya’ after win over Mumbai Indians in WPL 2026

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 16:17:21 GMT

After a tough start to the WPL 2026 season, UP Warriorz finally registered their first win. The team faced Mumbai Indians Women at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on December 15. Mumbai scored 161 runs in the first innings, but a strong chase helped UP Warriorz seal the match.

UP Warriorz bowlers set the tone early, with the pacers doing well in the powerplay and the spinners keeping things tight in the middle overs. Despite Nat Sciver-Brunt’s 65 runs, Mumbai could only reach 161. In reply, Harleen Deol played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 64 off 39 balls, just a day after being retired out in the previous match. She hit 12 boundaries, while Chloe Tryon added quick runs with an unbeaten 27 off 11 balls to guide UP Warriorz to a seven-wicket win.

The victory was followed by joyful celebrations in the UP Warriorz camp. Young pacer Kranti Gaud grabbed attention after a video of her dancing to the song ‘Raja Koi Lo Piya’ went viral on social media. The clip reflected the cheerful mood in the team after the important win.

Watch the video here:

Aaj gaana tera bhai bajaayega 🎶

P.S. Phenomenal Phoebe’s dance moves are under wraps until further notice! 💃#UPWarriorz #UttarDega #TATAWPL @StarSportsIndia | @wplt20 pic.twitter.com/U6ECT9ohHu
— UP Warriorz (@UPWarriorz) January 16, 2026

Also read -WPL 2026: “Chloe Is Someone…” – Harleen Deol breaks silence after being retired out in UPW vs DCW match

Harleen Deol Shines After Being Retired Out in the Previous Game

Harleen Deol had been the talk of the town ever since she was retired out during UP Warriorz’s WPL clash against Delhi Capitals Women for not keeping up with the expected run rate. However, she made a strong comeback in her next match.

Chasing 162, Harleen scored an unbeaten 64 off 39 balls, guiding UP Warriorz to a remarkable victory. Her performance drew praise even from Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.

“Harleen showed what she can bring to the team. She always wants to do well. I was surprised to see her retired out earlier, but she came with a positive mindset today. I hope she continues like this,” said Harmanpreet Kaur during the post-match presentation ceremony.

Harleen Deol Speaks About Her Performance

For her brilliant innings, Harleen Deol was awarded the Player of the Match. She spoke about her preparation and mindset following the incident in the previous game.

“Feels good, happy for the team for the first win. Actually, I was batting well yesterday too. As you saw today, Chloe can change the scenario quickly. I just focused on my game. She’s someone who can hit big, but that didn’t go our way yesterday. Nothing was different today. I got a few boundary balls, sometimes it’s just your day. My preparation was normal, and I didn’t stress about being retired out,” Harleen Deol said.

WPL 2026, Match 8: UPW Women vs MI Women - Match Highlights

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 00:36:21 GMT

Harleen Deol, who was retired out on the previous night and it cost for UP Warriorz Women, became the hero to secure their first win in the WPL 2026 on Thursday night (January 15), as they beat the defending champions Mumbai India Women by seven wickets with 11 balls remaining.

After UP Warriorz Women chose to bowl first, MI Women scored 161/5 in 20 overs, while UP Warriorz Women chased down the target in 18.1 overs after losing three wickets.

UP Warriorz bowlers were very disciplined

While the opener Amanjot Kaur slammed 38 off 33 balls before losing her wicket, her opening partner Gunalan Kamalini failed with five off 12 balls. In-form skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was dismissed for 16 runs, but then, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Nicola Carey had a powerful 85-run partnership for the fourth wicket. While Sciver-Brunt scored 65 off 43 balls with nine fours and one six, Nicola scored 32 not out off 20 balls with five fours.

Four UP Warriorz bowlers managed to pick up one wicket each, with the best bowling figures of 4-0-25-1 by Shikha Pandey and 4-0-26-1 by Sophie Ecclestone.

Harleen Deol regained her value

In reply, captain Meg Lanning and Kiran Navgire had a 42-run partnership for the first wicket. Both the openers were dismissed in the seventh over, as Lanning scored 25 and Kiran was dismissed for 10 runs. Phoebe Litchfield and Harleen Deol then had a useful 73-run partnership for the third wicket, which set the game for UP Warriorz to secure their first win of the season.

While Litchfield was dismissed for 25 runs, Deol had the match-winning partnership of 44 runs for the unbroken fourth wicket with Chloe Tyron, who scored 27 not out off just 11 balls with four fours and one six. On the other hand, the Player of the Match, Harleen Deol scored 64 not out off 39 balls with the help of 12 fours.

Among Mumbai Indians bowlers, only Nat Sciver-Brunt (2/28) and Amelia Kerr (1/42) managed to pick at least one wicket.

3 reasons why UP Warriorz are favourites to win the ongoing WPL 2026

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 19:07:16 GMT

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.

Also read -Gujarat Giants set their record total in their first WPL 2026 match against UP Warriorz Women

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.

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.

WPL 2026, Match 2: GG Women vs UPW Women - Match Highlights

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 18:50:10 GMT

Gujarat Giants Women started the WPL 2026 with a strong victory by 10 runs against UP Warriorz Women in the second game of the tournament on Saturday afternoon (January 10).

After UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning chose to field first, Gujarat Giants set their record total of 207/4 in 20 overs. In reply, UP Warriorz scored 197/8 in 20 overs, as they lost their tournament opener by 10 runs.

Skipper Ashleigh Gardner scored crucial half-century before late cameos

Captain Ashleigh Gardner scored 65 off 41 balls with six fours and three sixes, while she had a 103-run partnership with Anushka Sharma for the third wicket. Anushka scored 44 off 30 balls with seven fours. Also, Georgia Wareham (27 not out off 10 balls with one four and three sixes) and Bharti Fulmali (14 not out off seven balls with two sixes) scored some useful cameos, as the Giants added 34 runs in the final two overs.

Among the UP Warriorz bowlers, Sophie Ecclestone was the standout bowler with the bowling figures of 4-0-32-2.

UP Warriorz couldn't move on after Phoebe Litchfield's dismissal

In reply, UP Warriorz had a sudden mini-collapse after a 70-run partnership for the second wicket between captain Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield. While Lanning was out for 30 runs from 27 balls with five fours, UP Warriorz were quickly down from 73/1 to 74/4 in just five balls. During this period, they lost Lanning (30), Harleen Deol (0), and Deepti Sharma (2).

Phoebe Litchfield and Shweta Sehrawat had a useful partnership to handle that shocking collapse, as they built a 69-run partnership for the fifth wicket. While Shweta scored 25 off 17 balls with one four and three sixes, Phoebe continued her important innings.

Phoebe completed 50 runs in 24 balls, as she continued her brilliant knock by scoring 78 off 40 balls with eight fours and five sixes. Since her dismissal in the 16th over, UP Warriorz slipped from the game. Although Asha Sobhana tried hard with her cameo knock of 27 not out in 10 balls with three fours and two sixes, including hitting one six and two fours in the last three balls of the innings, her performance were too late for the team.

Among Gujarat Giants bowlers, Renuka Singh (2/25), Georgia Wareham (2/30), and Sophie Devine (2/55) picked up two wickets each.

Gujarat Giants set their record total in their first WPL 2026 match against UP Warriorz Women

Sat, 10 Jan 2026 17:32:24 GMT

Gujarat Giants slammed their record total in the Women's Premier League history in their first game of the WPL 2026.

On Saturday afternoon (January 10), Gujarat Giants started the WPL 2026 with the match against UP Warriorz Women at DY Patil Stadium. At the end of 20 overs, the Giants scored 207/4. It was their highest total ever, as their previous record was 201/5 and 201/7, both against RCB Women in 2025 and 2023, respectively. Meanwhile, the Giants' 207/4 was the seventh-highest total in WPL history.

Gujarat Giants' top totals in WPL history

207/4 vs UP Warriorz Women (January 10, 2026))
201/5 vs RCB Women (February 14, 2025)
201/7 vs RCB Women (March 8, 2023)
199/5 vs RCB Women (March 6, 2024)
190/7 vs MI Women (March 9, 2024)

Captain Ashleigh Gardner played a strong innings before fiery cameos

Giants openers Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine had a 41-run partnership inside the powerplay. While Mooney scored 13 runs, Devine scored 38 off 20 balls with five fours and two sixes.

From 55/2, the Giants had a strong third-wicket partnership between Anushka Sharma and captain Ashleigh Gardner, who added a 103-run partnership in 10.3 overs. While Anushka scored 44 off 30 balls with seven fours, Ashleigh scored 65 off 41 balls with six fours and three sixes.

Also, Georgia Wareham had an outstanding cameo of 27 not out in just 10 balls with one four and three sixes, while Bharti Fulmali scored 14 not out off seven balls with two sixes. In the last two overs, the Giants scored a total of 34 runs.

Among the UP Warriorz bowlers, Sophie Ecclestone got two wickets, as she had the bowling figures of 4-0-32-2. Also, Shikha Pandey (1/29) and Deandra Dottin (1/47) got one wicket each, while Deepti Sharma remained wicketless with the bowling figures of 3-0-32-0.

UP Warriorz SWOT Analysis for WPL 2026: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities & Threats

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:01:30 GMT

With its updated recruitment strategy and a new acquisition strategy, the UP Warriors team begins the season in 2026. Following a combined two previous seasons where the UP Warriors were on a 'roller-coaster' between wins and losses, the team is ready to start off stronger by using experienced leadership and creating a better balance for future success. With matches scheduled against many strong teams playing on different spinning surfaces and having tactical battles throughout multiple venues, UP Warriorz fans will be excited for a competitive Season for WPL 2026, where adaptability will play an important role in their long-term success.

As the Women’s Premier League has increased in every year, offering even more talented players with international-quality talent, the UP Warriorz will focus on improving their core strengths while addressing weaknesses to stay current in their quest for the title. In this SWOT analysis, we will highlight the advantages and advantages of the UP Warriorz as well as their shortfalls and weaknesses along with the best possible approaches to maximize opportunities against issues within the WPL 2026 season.

UP Warriorz Schedule for WPL 2026

Date	Match	Venue	Time (IST)
January 10, 2026	UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants	DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai	3:30 PM
January 12, 2026	UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai	7:30 PM
January 14, 2026	UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals	DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai	7:30 PM
January 15, 2026	UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians	DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai	7:30 PM
January 17, 2026	UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians	DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai	3:30 PM
January 22, 2026	UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants	Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara	7:30 PM
January 29, 2026	UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara	7:30 PM
February 01, 2026	UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals	Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara	7:30 PM

Strengths: Spin Dominance and Balanced Squad Composition

Among the many strengths that UP Warriorz have before WPL 2026, one of their biggest assets is the top-quality quality of Spin Bowling options available for selection within the team. The UP Warriorz's Spin attack includes a combination of several high-quality Front Line Spinners who each have their own unique Styles of Bowling and exceptional ability on Seaming/Slow Tracks as well as the ability to put pressure on opposing batsmen in the Middle Overs. In addition to allowing Captains greater ability to rotate Bowlers successfully during During the Match; the UP Warriors can use their Spin department to create additional options to effectively adapt to the various match circumstances.

With the Strong Spin Depth of the UP Warriorz, the team also boasts a Complete Batting Line Up with experienced high-scoring batsmen, and Strong Finishers. Players throughout the Top to Middle Order of UP Warriors can all score runs effectively allowing the team the opportunity to build large scores or effectively chase down Targets. With a good balance between Bowling and Batting, the UP Warriors will create a Competitive Advantage and prepare them to effectively compete in any match throughout the tournament.

Weaknesses: Pace Attack Gaps and Middle-Overs Inconsistency

UP Warriorz's major weakness is their inconsistent pacer attack. Even though spin is an essential resource for them on select surfaces, the gaps present in their pace resources become more apparent in the powerplay overs and on pitches that support fast bowlers. Their inability to produce express pace will limit their ability to prevent scores by their opponents at critical times during a game, mainly at the start of the match.

Middle batting is another concern for the UP Warriorz. The top order batsmen have established themselves as run-scorers, but the team continues to struggle with establishing any sort of consistency during the middle overs. Occasionally, if the UP Warriorz lose an early wicket or two, then their middle-order batters fail to establish a platform for further scoring opportunities and often leave runs on the field for the team. It is critical that the UP Warriorz find ways to be consistent enough during the middle overs to convert any solid starts into big totals.

Opportunities: Emerging Talent and Tactical Growth

The UP Warriorz can raise young players into vital positions during WPL 2026. The emerging young Indian talent on the team will have the chance to show off their match-winning skills when it counts. The development of breakout performances from new players allows the Warriorz to become more balanced and confident across the entire roster.

The season also presents an opportunity for the Warriorz to grow their leadership capabilities and to continue to grow strategically. As the players grow through experience and faces with pressure throughout the course of WPL 2026, the strategic tactical decision-making, field placement decisions, and game tempo decisions can improve. Utilizing bench strength with a rotating player strategy will give the Warriorz an increased level of momentum due to the short turnarounds associated with playing back-to-back matches at multiple locations.

Threats: Competitive Rivals and Pitch Challenges

As they enter WPL 2026, UP Warriorz are facing one of their biggest threats from the fierce competition of other franchises which have enhanced their rosters and added more layers of tactical diversity to them. Teams with strong pace bowling and a number of capable all-rounders have the potential to be a serious threat to the Warriorz in all conditions, making every match almost like a tactical battle. As teams around the league continue to improve the level of performance, even the smallest of tactical errors could result in a close loss, which would adversely impact the current standings.

In addition to the strength of their rivals, the pitch conditions at venues such as DY Patil and Kotambi provide an additional challenge to the UP Warriorz strategy. Although the UP Warriorz often have a definite advantage when playing on spin-friendly surfaces, there are occasions when the way a pitch behaves creates an opportunity for their opponents to level the playing field. This season, the key to overcoming this challenge will be to prepare for the surface changes and adjust the Warriorz's game plan as needed.

Conclusion

Overall, the UP Warriorz are positioned very well going into WPL 2026, both from a strength perspective (spin bowling and balanced batting line-up) and from a strategic point of view (up-and-coming players, and ways to develop tactics). They offer an excellent recipe for success. However, if the Warriorz want to contend for big prizes (both league titles and top-8 finishes), they need to find themselves some pace bowlers who can fill the gaps, and build middle-order consistency that will allow them to compete for all league spots. If they can turn strengths into wins and capitalise on their opportunities, they should have every opportunity to advance deep in this Women’s Premier League season.

UP Warriorz Squad for WPL 2026

Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Kranti Goud, Asha Sobhana, Deandra Dottin, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Tara Norris, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, G. Trisha, Pratika Rawal

Star player becomes new UP Warriorz captain for WPL 2026

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 00:59:27 GMT

UP Warriorz have announced their new captain for the WPL 2026, as the star Australian player has been named for the role.

The WPL 2026 is set to start on January 9 and will run until February 5. While all five teams are getting ready to begin the fourth season of the Women's Premier League, UP Warriorz have come with their new skipper.

Meg Lanning: UP Warriorz new captain for WPL 2026

Meg Lanning, the former Australian captain and former Delhi Capitals captain, is the new skipper of UP Warriorz. Under her leadership, the Delhi Capitals finished as the runners-up in the first three seasons of the WPL.

UP Warriorz qualified for the Playoffs in the inaugural season (2023), but were eliminated from the league stages in the next two seasons, 2024 and 2025, finishing in fourth and fifth place, respectively. While Australian legend Alyssa Healy led the side for the first two seasons, Indian star all-rounder Deepti Sharma led the team last season.

The new UP Warriorz skipper Meg Lanning is excited for her new role in the WPL, as she feels incredible with the rise of the tournament.

Meg Lanning said, “As the WPL enters its fourth season, it’s been incredible to see how the league has evolved — the quality of cricket, competitiveness and emergence of exciting new talent continue to raise the standard each year. This is a talented group with a strong mix of international experience and Indian players, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

Australia won five ICC World Cups under Meg Lanning's captaincy

Under Meg Lanning's leadership, Australia Women won four ICC Women's T20 World Cup trophies (2014, 2018, 2020, and 2023) and one ICC Women's Cricket World Cup trophy (2022), as she is known as one of the most successful captains in international cricket history.

Late withdrawals force major changes ahead of WPL 2026

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 22:34:27 GMT

The Women’s Premier League 2026 is yet to begin, but the tournament has already delivered major talking points. Just days before the January 9 opener, several big names have withdrawn, forcing franchises into late reshuffles and opening the door for fresh talent to step into the spotlight.

Squad reshuffle as overseas stars miss WPL 2026

Australian all-rounders Ellyse Perry and Annabel Sutherland have both pulled out of the season citing personal reasons. Perry’s withdrawal is a significant blow for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, given her towering influence in the league. Across 25 WPL matches, Perry has scored 972 runs at an extraordinary average of 64, often anchoring RCB’s innings in pressure situations.

RCB have named Indian all-rounder Sayali Satghare as her replacement at a reserve price of ₹30 lakh. While Satghare has limited WPL experience so far, this opportunity could prove career-defining as she looks to cement her place at the highest level.

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For Delhi Capitals, Sutherland’s exit leaves a noticeable gap in their all-round department. The franchise has responded by bringing in Australian leg-spinner Alana King for ₹60 lakh. King, who previously played for UP Warriorz, offers control, wicket-taking threat, and vast international exposure, strengthening Delhi’s spin arsenal.

Withdrawals open doors for new talent in WPL 2026

UP Warriorz have also been forced into a change after USA pacer Tara Norris opted out following her selection for the Women’s T20 World Cup Qualifier in Nepal. The franchise quickly roped in Australian all-rounder Charli Knott at ₹10 lakh, backing her domestic experience and versatility.

With the fourth edition of the Women's Premier League set to run until February 5 across Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, these changes highlight the league’s growing global pull. While fans will miss familiar superstars, WPL 2026 now promises new heroes, fresh narratives, and opportunities for emerging players to make their mark on the biggest stage.

UP Warriorz WPL 2026 full schedule, venues, timings announced

Sat, 29 Nov 2025 22:17:08 GMT

UP Warriorz has all the potential to be the dark horse of the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL 2026). With Abhishek Nayar as their head coach, cricket fans are expecting some exciting brand of cricket from the team.

They already showed their well-planned movements during the auction. UP Warriorz went into the auction room with only one retained player, which was Shweta Sehrawat. From there, they created a solid lineup, which can help the team to earn their maiden WPL trophy. UP Warriorz will begin its WPL 2026 campaign against Gujarat Giants at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on January 10. On January 12, in the next league match, they will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

UP Warriorz has shown a lot of faith in Deepti Sharma, as they bought her using the RTM card for a record amount of INR 3.20 crore. From the first set of players in the auction, they cashed in Rs 1.90 lakh for legendary Australian batter and former captain Meg Lanning. This move instantly bolstered their batting strength and leadership qualities. Another surprise of the auction was Shikha Pandey. Out of nowhere, this underrated Indian all-rounder experienced a great payday. UP Warriorz roped in for a whopping amount of Rs 2.40 crore.

UP Warriorz Full Schedule

Match	Date	Venue
UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants	January 10	Navi Mumbai
UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	January 12	Navi Mumbai
UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals	January 14	Navi Mumbai
UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians	January 15	Navi Mumbai
UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians	January 17	Navi Mumbai
UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants	January 22	Vadodara
UP Warriorz vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru	January 29	Vadodara
UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals	February 1	Vadodara

UP Warriorz WPL 2026 Full Squad after WPL 2026 Auction:

Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Meg Lanning, Shweta Sehrawat, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Suman Meena, G Trisha, Pratika Rawal, Phoebe Litchfield, Deandra Dottin, Tara Norris, and Chloe Tryon.

Retained Players: Shweta Sehrawat.