Analysing the UP Warriorz squad for WPL 2026 after the full revamp at the auction with Abhishek Nayar and Meg Lanning leading the way.
UP Warriorz enter WPL 2026 as one of the most heavily reworked teams in the tournament. After finishing bottom of the table in 2025, the franchise opted for a near-reset in leadership, squad composition, and coaching philosophy. The headline change is Meg Lanning’s appointment as captain, supported by a new head coach in Abhishek Nayar and a roster stacked with senior international experience.
This UP Warriorz squad for WPL 2026 is built around clarity rather than experimentation. The question is whether that clarity is enough to overcome structural risks that still linger.
Where UP Warriorz Finished Last Season
UP Warriorz ended WPL 2025 at the bottom of the table, winning only three of eight matches. Since reaching the playoffs in the inaugural 2023 season, they have managed just six wins across the last two editions, often undone by constant chopping and changing in both batting order and bowling combinations.
That lack of stability ultimately forced a hard reset ahead of 2026.
What’s New for UP Warriorz in WPL 2026
Almost everything after the WPL 2026 auction.
Warriorz entered the auction with the largest purse (₹14.50 crore) and four RTM options, retaining only one uncapped player (Shweta Sehrawat) before rebuilding the squad around proven leaders.
The overhaul was led by:
- Meg Lanning as captain
- Deepti Sharma and Shikha Pandey as senior Indian pillars
- Overseas firepower in Sophie Ecclestone, Deandra Dottin and Phoebe Litchfield
They used RTMs smartly to bring back Deepti, Ecclestone, Kiran Navgire and Kranti Gaud, ensuring some continuity amid the churn.
Off the field, Abhishek Nayar replaced Jon Lewis as head coach, with Nayar openly describing Lanning as “the best mind in women’s cricket” and placing leadership responsibility firmly in her hands. Abhishek Nayar also backed Shweta Sehrawat as the wicketkeeper.
Likely Playing XI for UP Warriorz (WPL 2026)
- Meg Lanning ✈️
- Kiran Navgire
- Phoebe Litchfield ✈️
- Shweta Sehrawat
- Deepti Sharma
- Deandra Dottin ✈️
- Shipra Giri (wk)
- Sophie Ecclestone ✈️
- Asha Sobhana
- Shikha Pandey
- Kranti Gaud
UP Warriorz WPL 2026 Overseas players: Lanning, Litchfield, Dottin, Ecclestone
Strengths of the UP Warriorz Squad
Leadership and experience are the defining upgrades. Lanning brings elite tactical control, having led Delhi Capitals to three consecutive WPL finals, while Deepti and Ecclestone provide continuity from earlier Warriorz seasons.
The spin attack is among the strongest in the league. Ecclestone remains the premier spinner in world cricket, supported by Deepti Sharma and Asha Sobhana. On surfaces that grip, Warriorz can control the middle overs better than most teams.
Batting-wise, the core of Lanning, Litchfield and Deepti offers structure, while Navgire and Dottin provide raw power. On paper, this is the most balanced Warriorz batting unit across three seasons.
The Wicketkeeper Conundrum
This is the squad’s biggest unresolved issue.
Shipra Giri is the only specialist wicketkeeper, and she remains uncapped internationally. There is no experienced back-up. Phoebe Litchfield can keep in emergencies, but using her behind the stumps may compromise her batting role and the balance of the XI.
If Shipra keeps, Warriorz may be forced to accept a compromise between their best batting combination and their best defensive setup, a risk that becomes magnified in tight games.
High-Variance Batting Outside the Core
Beyond Lanning and Deepti, Warriorz carry significant batting volatility.
Navgire, Litchfield, Shweta Sehrawat and Shipra Giri are all relatively inexperienced at the WPL level, while Dottin is an impact player rather than a stabiliser. Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol add depth but are not natural T20 accelerators.
This means Warriorz are likely to experience sharp swings in batting output, capable of explosive totals one night and collapses the next.
Fixtures That Will Define UP Warriorz Campaign
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| Jan 10 | Gujarat Giants |
| Jan 12 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Jan 14 | Delhi Capitals |
| Jan 15 | Mumbai Indians |
| Jan 17 | Mumbai Indians |
| Jan 22 | Gujarat Giants |
| Jan 29 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru |
| Feb 1 | Delhi Capitals |
The back-to-back games against Mumbai Indians will be a major test of whether this new-look Warriorz side can compete with elite, settled teams.
Final Verdict: Can UP Warriorz Win WPL 2026?
This is the most coherent UP Warriorz squad assembled so far. Leadership is sorted, roles are clearer, and experience now outweighs experimentation.
However, the lack of an experienced wicketkeeper, high-variance batting, and limited bowling depth prevent Warriorz from being outright favourites. If Lanning’s leadership can stabilise performances and key players stay fit, a playoff push is realistic. A maiden title will require most variables to break their way.
Warriorz are no longer drifting, but whether they are ready to dominate remains the defining question of WPL 2026.
