New Delhi, Nov 27 (NationPress) UP Warriorz mentor Lisa Sthalekar stated that the team was unable to retain Deepti Sharma prior to the WPL 2026 mega auction due to the need for ‘the players we required’ in the early stages of the auction. However, she expressed her gratitude for having the Indian all-rounder back on the team.

During the ongoing WPL 2026 mega auction in New Delhi, Deepti, who was recognized as the Player of the Tournament in India’s recent Women’s ODI World Cup, became the joint second-most expensive player in the history of the league when UPW utilized their Right to Match (RTM) card to bring her back for INR 3.2 crore.

“No, we needed to have a larger budget. If you retain a capped player like Deepti Sharma, you lose ₹3.5 crore from your budget. Therefore, it was crucial to maintain some flexibility to select the players we wanted in the first couple of sets because there were many talented players available. That’s why she wasn’t retained initially. Thankfully, she has returned,” Lisa mentioned to the media during the auction.

When inquired about acquiring Australian opener Phoebe Litchfield, Lisa responded, “I believe Phoebe Litchfield has the capability to play a 360-degree game. She adapts well to Indian conditions and has a strong record against Indian bowlers. We anticipate her growth over the next few years with UP Warriorz.”

Lisa shared that the team was satisfied with their auction selections thus far but admitted to being surprised to reacquire Sophie Ecclestone at a reasonable price. “We are pleased with our acquisitions. A few positions still need to be filled, making this next phase crucial for us. Currently, we are following our plan effectively.”

“Honestly, I was taken aback by the price of Sophie Ecclestone. ₹85 lakh is an incredible bargain for the value she brings. This has allowed us to pursue additional players to enhance our squad’s depth,” she added.

Acquiring leg-spinner Asha Sobhana was also significant due to her experience. “We needed someone in the middle, and having a wrist spinner is essential. She has good speed and has already proven herself at the WPL level. We are eager to see her potential,” Lisa noted.

She expressed her satisfaction with N Sree Charani receiving INR 1.3 crore. “Just look at all the reporters here! It’s a great sign for women’s cricket. Players like Sree Charani have elevated their market value through their performances in the World Cup. While T20 and 50-over cricket differ, her success is well-deserved.”

Acquiring pacer Kranti Gaud for just INR 50 lakh was a significant win, according to UPW fielding coach Saurabh Bandekar. “It surprised everyone, but we anticipated it, knowing we had RTM. Our budget was substantial, allowing us to acquire our targeted players at good prices.”

He also emphasized head coach Abhishek Nayar's role in shaping the auction strategy. “He provided the most input as the head coach. His clarity in approach helped us stay disciplined and on track.”

Bringing back Deepti and Sophie was a significant boost for the team. “I'm thrilled. Their quality is well-known. They have previously delivered excellent performances for us,” he stated.

“As for Phoebe Litchfield, she is an exceptional prospect and an exciting talent. Her ability to score runs all over the field and her fielding skills make us very hopeful,” Bandekar concluded.

He emphasized the importance of having quality Indian players like Kranti, Kiran Navgire, and Harleen Deol to meet their Indian player requirements. “Trusting Indian batters is essential. Kiran Navgire has had a stellar domestic season, and Harleen Deol has also performed exceptionally well. Kranti excelled last season, bringing dual skills—effective bowling and exceptional fielding. We are very pleased with our choices.”