Meg Lanning to lead? Deepti as solid core: Analysing UP Warriorz squad for WPL 2026

UP Warriorz Women [Source: @imfemalecricket/X.com]

The WPL mega auctions are over, and the teams are ready for a clash that is set to begin on January 9. The dates have been confirmed ahead of the auction itself, and with the big competition less than 2 months away, UP Warriorz, who had a clean slate ahead of the bidding day, have formed one of the formidable squads in the tournament.

After retaining only Shweta Sehrawat (₹50 lakh) and leveraging the league's largest purse of ₹14.5 crore, Abhishek Nayar and Co. have managed to rebuild a squad of 18 players with 6 overseas.

UP Warriorz squad for WPL 2026

Retained player: Shweta Sehrawat

Complete squad after New Acquisitions: Kiran Navgire, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Shweta Sehrawat, Simran Shaikh, Trisha Gongadi, Asha Sobhana Joy, Chloe Tryon, Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Pratika Rawal, Shikha Pandey, Sophie Ecclestone, Suman Meena, Shipra Giri, Tara Norris

The overall view on the squad reflects a balanced mix of experience, youth and bargain buys that can provide pivots in a match. Ahead of analysing the squad, let's take a look at the full squad of UP Warriorz Women for WPL 2026.

Key strengths of UP Warriorz for WPL 2026

Lanning, Litchfield and Navgire at the top

Meg Lanning has been at the top of her form recently and is a proven captain, playing two WPL Finals. Phoebe Litchfield, another Australian striker with the bat, will be crucial to getting explosive runs at the top.

Kiran Navgire, who was bought in for 60 lakh INR cannot be ignored because of her explosive strike rates of 140+ and 170+ in the previous season of WPL. Let's take a look at how these players have performed recently.

Overall, UPW have got it figured out at the top with explosive as well as foundation-building players.

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World Class spin trio of Ecclestone, Deepti and Sobhana

UPW have carefully selected spinners who covers all bases. Ecclestone's left-arm orthodox, off-spin of Deepti and Sobhana's leg spin plus googles gets the middle over choke and also can take wickets in bursts in the middle over phase.

(Overall WPL performances with the ball)

Economic potential on Indian pitches:

• Ecclestone: 5–5.5 runs per over and 2-3 wickets per match
• Deepti: 5.5–6 runs per over and 2-3 wickets purchase.
• Asha: might go at 6.5–7 but will buy 1-2 wickets per game

All of these spinners are capable of getting a chokehold on opponents with their actions while restricting run-flow.

Deandra Dottin, Chloe Tryon are luxury-level all-rounders

Deandra Dottin who was bought for ₹1.70 cr is a pure box-office player. Opens the batting or bats 3, smashes massive sixes, bowls genuine 120 kph+ seam-up at the stumps. On slow pitches, her hard length is almost unplayable.

Chloe Tryon was bought for ₹1.30 Cr and the left-hand power along with very useful left-arm spin is a plus with her ability as a brilliant fielder. In short, Tryon is the perfect No.6–7 who can give 4–6 overs of spin if the pitch is turning square.

Weaknesses of UP Warriorz

Wobbly middle order with Harleen Deol

Harleen Deol is the sole strong batter in the middle with other options relied on all-rounders. Notably, Harleen's recent exploits have not been extraordinary too, though he had a good tournament for GG-W in WPL 2025.

Simran Shaikh, snapped up for ₹10 lakh, brings raw talent and Mumbai pedigree but remains inexperienced at the WPL level. Good against pace, compact technique, but not yet the reliable rotator or anchor required in a collapse. Both together make the UPW middle order exciting but risky.

Pace department weak?

Shikha Pandey, bought for ₹2.40 crore, leads the pace attack with experience and an economy under 7. Still hits 120–125 kph and dominates the middle overs, however, she is the star in the pace lineup, carrying the inexperience.

Kranti Gaud, retained for ₹50 lakh, is a promising domestic quick with decent control but speeds below 115 kph and inconsistent lengths. A developing bowler, not a dependable strike option yet.

Tara Norris, signed for ₹10 lakh and the lone Associate pick, brings left-arm angle and natural swing. However, with limited exposure beyond USA domestic cricket, she remains untested on flat WPL tracks where economy rates can spike quickly.

UP Warriorz strongest Playing XI

Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Shipra Giri (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud

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