The anticipation for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction has skyrocketed following India’s historic ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 victory under captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The triumph, sealed on November 2nd, has shone an unprecedented spotlight on the domestic pool, validating the WPL’s impact.
Franchises are now keenly aware of the winning mentality and pressure absorption demonstrated by the Indian players, driving up their value. International stars who played vital roles in the World Cup will also be heavily contested. With the retention deadline of November 5th, this auction is now seen as the immediate financial and competitive extension of the World Cup success. The focus is no longer just on talent but on proven temperament in title-winning moments.
UP Warriorz WPL journey under Alyssa Healy and Deepti Sharma (2023–2025)
The UP Warriorz (UPW) have shown flashes of brilliance but have yet to reach the ultimate prize. In the inaugural 2023 season, led by Alyssa Healy, they built a competitive squad that managed to secure a playoff spot, ultimately being defeated in the Eliminator. They demonstrated a flair for power-hitting through Grace Harris and a dominant spin attack anchored by Sophie Ecclestone. The 2024 season saw them struggle to maintain consistency, finishing mid-table, highlighting a need for greater reliability from their Indian core.
The WPL 2025 season was particularly challenging for the Warriorz. Despite having world-class players like Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma, injuries and a lack of collective momentum saw them finish at the bottom of the table. Their failure to master the crucial death overs, both with bat and ball, was a recurring issue. The Mega Auction will present a critical opportunity for the new-look leadership, now centered around Deepti’s World Cup success, to rebuild the foundation around a stable, high-impact core.
WPL 2026: 5 players UP Warriorz (UPW) can retain ahead of Women’s Premier League mega auction
1. Deepti Sharma (Capped Indian All-Rounder/Captain)
Deepti Sharma is the strategic and emotional bedrock of the UP Warriorz. Following her leadership role and success in the World Cup 2025, her value as a proven match-winner and strategic thinker is immense. Her contribution as a genuine all-rounder, offering economical off-spin, crucial death bowling, and reliable middle-order batting, makes her an absolute must-retain. Locking in Deepti ensures the franchise secures their primary Indian international star who possesses both talent and title-winning temperament.
2. Sophie Ecclestone (Overseas Bowler)
Sophie Ecclestone is arguably the most valuable bowler in the world and the linchpin of the UPW attack. Despite a mixed WPL 2025, her sheer quality and ranking as the world’s premier T20I spinner mean she is non-negotiable. She finished WPL 2025 with 9 Wickets and a respectable economy, consistently delivering tight spells in the middle overs. Retaining her alongside Deepti Sharma creates the strongest spin duo in the league, giving UPW a vital competitive edge.
3. Alyssa Healy (Overseas Wicketkeeper-Batter)
Alyssa Healy provides world-class experience, explosive opening firepower, and the stability of an excellent wicketkeeper. Her aggressive batting sets the tone at the top, which is crucial for UPW’s success. As one of the two allowed overseas retentions, her impact is prioritized due to her experience as a multi-time world champion and her ability to anchor the top order. Her presence completes the two-overseas quota, securing two high-impact, world-class players.
4. Kranti Goud (Capped Indian All-Rounder)
Kranti Goud is the ideal retention for the second Capped Indian slot due to her phenomenal rise. Having made her debut and been part of the World Cup squad, she offers high-impact Indian pace bowling, a rare and premium commodity. Retaining her (at a high slab value) ensures the franchise locks down a long-term, match-winning pace all-rounder whose value has skyrocketed since the WPL 2025 season.
5. Shweta Sehrawat (Uncapped Indian Batter)
Shweta Sehrawat is an essential strategic retention as the designated Uncapped Indian player, a slot that must be filled if UPW retains five players. A sensational young talent who was the highest run-scorer in the U-19 World Cup, retaining her secures a high-potential, lower-cost asset (minimum retention value is ₹50 lakh). Her retention preserves valuable purse space, secures a future top-order star, and fulfills a crucial structural requirement for the squad’s future.
| Slot | Player | Role | Capped Status | Key WPL 2025 Performance | Rationale |
| 1. | Deepti Sharma | All-Rounder | Capped Indian | 122 Runs & 8 Wickets. Took India to World Cup 2025 title. | Captaincy & Premium Indian Core: The indispensable leader and India’s premier all-rounder. Her proven temperament, bowling effectiveness, and vital batting make her a non-negotiable retention. |
| 2. | Sophie Ecclestone | Bowler | Overseas | 9 Wickets & 98 Runs. World’s No. 1 ranked T20I bowler. | World-Class Spin Anchor: The best spinner in the world, essential for controlling the middle overs. A must-retain to solidify UPW’s primary bowling strength. |
| 3. | Alyssa Healy | Wicketkeeper-Batter | Overseas | Led UPW to playoffs in 2023. Key aggressive opener. | Explosive Opener & Leader: Despite injury, her history as a successful captain and explosive top-order batter is too valuable. Completes the two-overseas quota. |
| 4. | Kranti Goud | All-Rounder | Capped Indian | World Cup 2025 debut. High-impact Indian pace bowling all-rounder. | Premium Indian Pace Asset: Retained to secure a long-term, match-winning pace bowling all-rounder. She utilizes the second Capped Indian retention slot. |
| 5. | Shweta Sehrawat | Batter | Uncapped Indian | High-scoring India U-19 and domestic performer. | Mandatory Uncapped Player: Fulfills the structural requirement for the fifth retention slot. Retaining this high-potential star at the lowest retention slab is strategically sound for the auction purse. |
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
