UP Warriorz: From Early Promise to a Fight for Survival

Mumbai: When the Women’s Premier League (WPL) was launched in 2023, the UP Warriorz (UPW) emerged as one of its most promising franchises. Based in Lucknow and buoyed by a balanced squad and strong leadership, the Warriorz qualified for the playoffs in their debut season, raising expectations of long-term contention. Three seasons later, however, that promise has faded into persistent struggle, with UP Warriorz once again grappling at the bottom of the table.

When the story was filed, UP Warriorz sat fifth on the points table, with 2 points from 4 matches and a worrying net run rate of -0.906. While the victory against defending champions Mumbai Indians offered brief relief, it has not erased deeper concerns that have plagued the franchise since 2024.

The High of 2023

UP Warriorz began their WPL journey on a strong footing. Under the captaincy of Australian wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy, the team finished third in the league stage of the inaugural season. The squad featured a healthy mix of overseas firepower and Indian talent, with players like Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, and Shweta Sehrawat playing key roles. Although their campaign ended with a heavy eliminator loss to Mumbai Indians, the overall performance signaled a franchise capable of sustained success.

That optimism, however, proved short-lived.

The Slide Begins

The cracks started to show in WPL 2024, where UP Warriorz slipped to a fourth-place finish, narrowly missing the playoffs. Inconsistent batting performances, particularly during run chases, cost them crucial matches. The inability to control middle overs with the bat and finish games decisively became a recurring theme.

By WPL 2025, the problems had deepened. With Healy sidelined due to injury, Deepti Sharma stepped in as captain, but the team managed only three wins from eight matches, finishing last. The season exposed a glaring structural flaw: the lack of pace bowling depth. On flat surfaces, UPW’s seamers struggled to strike early, forcing spinners like Ecclestone and Deepti to shoulder an unsustainable workload. Opponents routinely attacked the powerplay, putting the Warriorz on the back foot.

Batting issues compounded the problem. Acceleration often depended on overseas players, while Indian middle-order contributions remained inconsistent. The imbalance left UP Warriorz predictable and vulnerable.

A Bold Reset for 2026

Determined to reverse their fortunes, the franchise opted for a major overhaul at the WPL 2026 mega auction. Only Shweta Sehrawat was retained, signaling a clean slate. High-profile signings followed: Meg Lanning was appointed captain, alongside Phoebe Litchfield, Chloe Tryon, and the returns of Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone. The acquisition of Shikha Pandey was aimed at addressing the long-standing pace bowling issue.

On paper, the squad looked formidable—experienced, versatile, and well-balanced between youth and leadership. Expectations rose again.

Reality Check: A Faltering Start

The optimism quickly evaporated as UP Warriorz opened WPL 2026 with three consecutive defeats—a narrow 10-run loss to Gujarat Giants, a crushing nine-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and a seven-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals. These games laid bare familiar issues.

Top-order instability emerged as a major concern. Frequent reshuffling—alternating between promoting Harleen Deol and adjusting Kiran Navgire’s role—prevented the batting unit from settling. Powerplay overs were slow, strike rates dipped, and middle-order pressure mounted.

The Delhi Capitals match proved particularly controversial. In a desperate bid for acceleration, Harleen Deol was retired out on 47 off 36 balls, a decision that backfired spectacularly. UPW collapsed from a position of control, losing six wickets for 20 runs, and finished with a sub-par total of 154. The tactical gamble drew sharp criticism and intensified scrutiny on Lanning’s leadership calls.

Bowling, despite reinforcements, remained unbalanced. The pace unit lacked penetration, again forcing spinners to do the heavy lifting. Without early wickets, opposition batters dictated terms with ease.

A Glimmer of Hope

The narrative finally shifted on January 15, 2026, when UP Warriorz defeated Mumbai Indians by seven wickets. Chasing 162, Harleen Deol delivered a redemption arc with a composed, unbeaten 64 off 39 balls, guiding the team to their first win of the season. Phoebe Litchfield, who has been one of UPW’s few consistent performers, chipped in with 25, taking her tally to 150 runs in four matches.

The win was significant not just for points, but for belief—especially as crowds returned from January 16 after matches in Navi Mumbai were played behind closed doors due to local elections.

Racing to the Future

Despite the morale boost, UP Warriorz remain in a precarious position. One win and a poor net run rate leave little margin for error in a fiercely competitive league. The underlying issues—fragile pace bowling, over-reliance on overseas batters, constant top-order experimentation, and questionable tactics—still demand urgent correction.