In a bold move ahead of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction, the UP Warriorz have opted for a complete overhaul, retaining just one player from their previous squad.
The Lucknow-based franchise
has decided to part ways with all its capped players, including Deepti Sharma, the Player of the Tournament from the 2025 ICC Women's World Cup, along with Australian skipper Alyssa Healy and England's premier spinner Sophie Ecclestone.
With just uncapped batter Shweta Sehrawat retained for ₹50 lakh, the Warriorz will enter the auction with the largest purse among all teams - ₹14.5 crore. The franchise also holds a significant strategic advantage, possessing four Right to Match (RTM) cards, which they can use on up to two Indian and two overseas players. This gives them a realistic opportunity to buy back some of their former stars if the bidding allows.
After finishing last in the 2025 season, the team's management appears ready to hit the reset button under new head coach Abhishek Nayar, who is set to guide the franchise into a new era. While the Warriorz impressed in the inaugural edition by reaching the playoffs, their performances dipped sharply over the next two seasons, finishing second-last and last in 2024 and 2025 respectively.
The upcoming auction on November 27 in Delhi will be crucial for the franchise as they look to rebuild from scratch. With such a massive budget at their disposal, UP can target marquee players, strengthen their Indian core, and possibly bring in a new captain. The franchise also has the flexibility to re-sign Deepti Sharma or Alyssa Healy using their RTM options if needed.
The Warriorz' decision to start afresh reflects a clear intent to redefine their identity and return stronger in the next cycle of the league.
UP Warriorz Retained Players: Shweta Sehrawat (₹50 lakh)
Released Players: Deepti Sharma, Alana King, Anjali Sarvani, Arushi Goel, Chamari Athapaththu, Chinelle Henry, Gouher Sultana, Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Kranti Goud, Poonam Khemnar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Saima Thakor, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath, Uma Chetry, Vrinda Dinesh
Auction Purse Left: ₹14.5 crore | RTMs Remaining: 4
