The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 is set to bring another thrilling season of women’s cricket, and one of the most talked-about teams this year is the UP Warriorz. With some big changes in the squad, the team is looking to strengthen its lineup and aim for a strong performance.

Deepti Sharma: The New Captain

With the skipper’s cap on her head, Deepti Sharma would be hoping to guide the UP Warriorz to their maiden final in the 2025 edition of the Women’s Premier League. The absence of regular captain Alyssa Healy—who was ruled out due to a recurring foot injury—has led the team’s management to entrust the leadership to Deepti, a local player and seasoned India all-rounder.

“I am excited about captaining in the WPL. I have led my state team before, so I will draw from that experience. This is a different challenge, but I love challenges no matter the level,” Deepti stated in a press room ahead of the tournament.

In the inaugural season of the WPL, the Warriorz finished third on the points table but bowed out of the competition to the eventual champion Mumbai Indians. Last year, however, was disappointing for the UP-based franchise as they failed to finish in the top three.

Chinelle Henry Joins the Squad

To fill the void left by Healy, the Warriorz have signed Chinelle Henry, the talented all-rounder from the West Indies. Known for her aggressive batting and effective bowling, Henry is expected to add depth to both departments.

UP Warriorz Full Squad for WPL 2025

Chinelle Henry, Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma (c), Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath, Vrinda Dinesh, Saima Thakor, Poonam Khemnar, Gouher Sultana, Chamari Athapaththu, Uma Chetry, Arushi Goel, Kranti Goud, Alana King

Key Players to Watch

• Tahlia McGrath – The Australian all-rounder has been a consistent performer and will play a key role in the middle order.
• Sophie Ecclestone – The world-class spinner is a major asset for the Warriorz and will be leading the bowling attack.
• Vrinda Dinesh – A young Indian batter coming off an impressive domestic season who could take up the opening role in Healy’s absence.
• Chamari Athapaththu – The Sri Lanka skipper is a power-hitter and a handy bowler, making her an invaluable addition to the side.

Recent Trades and Releases

In a bold move, the team has traded Danni Wyatt-Hodge to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Additionally, they have released Lauren Bell and three other players as part of their squad revamp. These decisions indicate the team’s strategic approach to refining its squad composition.

UP Warriorz’s Strengths and Challenges

Strengths:

• A solid mix of experienced international stars and young Indian talent.
• Strong spin attack led by Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma.
• A robust overseas players’ lineup featuring match-winners like Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, and Chamari Athapaththu.
• The acquisition of Alana King for Rs. 30 lakh—considered a steal—given her purple patch in the 2024-25 Women’s Ashes, where she emerged as the highest wicket-taker across formats with 23 scalps.

Challenges:

• Filling the leadership void left by Alyssa Healy’s absence.
• Adapting to the new squad dynamics with recent trades and signings.
• Strengthening the pace bowling attack to complement the spin-heavy lineup.
• Establishing a consistent opening partnership, possibly with Vrinda Dinesh stepping up.

Bowling Attack: Spin Dominance & Pace Concerns

The spin department will be led by the lethal duo of Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma, both of whom combined for 21 wickets last season. The arrival of Alana King further strengthens their bowling arsenal. Meanwhile, Saima Thakor and Chamari Athapaththu are the team’s primary pace options, responsible for providing breakthroughs.

What to Expect in WPL 2025?

UP Warriorz may have all the pieces of the puzzle available to them, but the responsibility of putting them all together will fall on Deepti Sharma’s shoulders. The franchise aims to play a strong brand of cricket, focusing on consistency and aggressive gameplay.

“But with this opportunity, I want the team to play a strong brand of cricket. We had a good run in the first season but lost momentum last year. This time, we aim to be more consistent and put in our best performances,” Deepti emphasized.

If the Warriorz can find the right balance and momentum, they could be strong contenders for the championship. With solid planning and execution, they might just go all the way to their maiden final in WPL 2025.

Stay tuned for more updates and insights on blogs.pnjaab.com as we follow the action-packed WPL 2025 season!