Meg Lanning arrives as UP Warriorz search for lost direction

Where they finished in WPL 2025: UP Warriorz' performances have declined each season. After finishing third and fourth in the first two WPL seasons, they hit rock bottom in 2025, finishing last. Their campaign started with two losses, briefly found rhythm, then slipped into another three-loss streak. The absence of Alyssa Healy left a leadership and batting void.

Mega-auction overhaul: UP Warriorz retained only Shweta Sehrawat as an uncapped pick and had a busy auction. They spent big to bring back Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone, and kept faith in Kiran Navgire and Kranti Gaud. Their biggest move was securing former Australian captain Meg Lanning for INR 2.9 Crore. They also battled RCB for Shikha Pandey, spending INR 2.4 Crore on the experienced pace-bowling all-rounder.

A major gap remains: a strong wicketkeeper. Options include the inexperienced Shipra Giri, with Shweta Sehrawat and Kiran Navgire as possible fill-ins. Head coach Abhishek Nayar has hinted at a makeshift keeper taking the full-time role.

Newsmaker(s): To revive their fortunes and contend for the WPL title, UP Warriorz have signed Meg Lanning, arguably the greatest captain in women's cricket. There's also a coaching change: Abhishek Nayar takes over as head coach after Jon Lewis' exit, marking Nayar's first high-profile role in women's cricket.

Watch out for: Kiran Navgire. The 31-year-old hard-hitter showed flashes of destructive power last season. Improved training and diet have made her more agile and fitter, boosting her batting. In the Senior Women's T20 Trophy this season, she averaged 46.60 with a strike rate of 235.35. In the Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy, she smashed 245 runs in five innings at a strike rate of 177.53. If she dominates the powerplay, UP Warriorz can gain an early upper hand.

Probable XI: Meg Lanning (c), Kiran Navgire, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Deandra Dottin, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey, S Asha, Kranti Goud

Bench: Simran Shaikh, G Trisha, Shipra Giri, Chloe Tryon, Charlie Knott, Suman Meena

Schedule: UP Warriorz face a hectic Navi Mumbai leg with five games in eight days, including both 3:30 PM starts, making them more susceptible to changing conditions. The Lanning-led side must adapt quickly. With only three games in Baroda, they need to make a strong mark—securing at least a couple of wins—in the first leg. Head coach Nayar is familiar with the DY Patil Stadium, where they must land their hardest punches.

Fixtures:

• Jan 10: vs GG at 3:30 PM in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 12: vs RCB at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 14: vs DC at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 15: vs MI at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 17: vs MI at 3:30 PM in Navi Mumbai
• Jan 22: vs GG at 7:30 PM in Vadodara
• Jan 29: vs RCB at 7:30 PM in Vadodara
• Feb 1: vs DC at 7:30 PM in Vadodara