Led by Alyssa Healy, UP Warriorz experienced a near miss in reaching the final during the inaugural season of WPL earlier this year, falling short to Mumbai Indians. As they gear up for the WPL 2024 auction, the team is poised for a fresh start, eager to leave behind past setbacks.
In preparation for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, UP Warriorz opted to retaining their entire core. They released only four players. Key figures such as captain Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Tahlia McGrath, and Grace Harris were retained.
The departures included Devika Vaidya, Shabnim Ismail, Shivali Shinde, and Simran Shaikh. While the squad appears well-rounded, concerns linger over the bowling and middle-order batting departments.
During the previous season, Australian all-rounder Tahlia McGrath and English spinner Sophie Ecclestone emerged as standout performers for the Warriorz. McGrath, contributing significantly with the bat, topped the team’s run charts with 302 runs in 9 games.
On the bowling front, Ecclestone showcased her prowess by finishing as the highest wicket-taker. She had an impressive tally of 16 wickets from 9 matches. As UP Warriorz aim for a stronger showing in WPL 2024, the focus will likely be on filling in the gaps.
UP Warriorz may consider targeting experienced players like Chamari Athapaththu, renowned for her all-round abilities, to further strengthen their lineup. The release of players like Shabnim Ismail opens opportunities for new additions. With Rs 4 Cr in purse, UPW could target Annabel Sutherland after her impactful performances in the Women’s Big Bash League.
UP Warriorz squad ahead of WPL 2024 Auction:
Retained Players: Alyssa Healy*, Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris*, Kiran Navgire, Lauren Bell*, Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, S. Yashasri, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone*, Tahlia Mcgrath*
Released Players: Devika Vaidya, Shabnim Ismail*, Shivali Shinde, Simran Shaikh
Slots Left: 6
Purse Left: 4 Cr
