WPL 2025: Bowlers Shine as UP Warriorz Launch Campaign Against Gujarat Giants

Vadodara, Feb 15 (NationPress) The UP Warriorz have dedicated themselves to rigorous pre-season training and are now ready to kick off their journey in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 against the Gujarat Giants in Vadodara this Sunday.

The team has appointed a new captain, Deepti Sharma, while remaining committed to their objective of competing fiercely and securing victories in each match. This season marks an exciting milestone as the UP Warriorz will host games at their home ground in Lucknow for the very first time during the tournament's third phase.

They will commence their campaign in Vadodara, taking on the Gujarat Giants on February 16, and will participate in two matches during the initial phase. Following this, they are slated to play three matches each in Bengaluru and Lucknow to complete the league segment of their schedule.

Under the leadership of Deepti Sharma, a local from UP, and with guidance from Jon Lewis of England, the UP Warriorz boast a formidable bowling lineup, particularly their spin attack, which is arguably the fiercest in the league. Sophie Ecclestone, the WPL’s leading wicket-taker with 27 dismissals across two seasons, is complemented by India's top bowler in this format, Deepti Sharma, who has claimed 138 wickets for India and secured 19 wickets for the UP Warriorz over two seasons. The team also includes talented bowlers like Alana King from Australia, Sri Lanka's Chamari Athapaththu (three wickets in four matches), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (13 wickets from 16 games), and Gouher Sultana.

While the spinners form a lethal duo in the UP Warriorz, the pace attack is equally impressive. Anjali Sarvani (six wickets in 13 matches) has showcased her skills in the previous seasons, and the emergence of Saima Thakor has invigorated the team. Although Saima has taken only three wickets in six matches, her ability to maintain control and her improvement over the past year bode well for the UP Warriorz. Alongside Saima, likely the spearhead of the pace attack, and Anjali, the team also features the promising fast bowler Kranti Goud, who played a pivotal role in helping Madhya Pradesh secure a domestic ODI title with a four-wicket performance in the final.

The batting lineup is another strength for the UP Warriorz. Sri Lankan star Chamari Athapaththu, along with Australian talents Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris, are known for their rapid scoring in the T20 format and can deliver explosive performances when in form.

Leading the Indian batting contingent, Deepti aims to maintain her aggressive strategy, which earned her the MVP title in Season 2, featuring three half-centuries and a strike rate nearing 150. Promising Indian talents like Kiran Navgire, Shweta Sehrawat, and Vrinda Dinesh will look to carry their momentum from the recent domestic season into the WPL.

While both batting and bowling units can significantly challenge the opposing team, two factors may hinder their progress.

Firstly, fielding is an area that Jon Lewis and his team will strive to improve this season, as crucial catches can determine match outcomes, and the UP Warriorz struggled in this aspect during Season 2. Additionally, the team will hope for minimal injuries to key young players.

UP Warriorz squad: Deepti Sharma (c), Uma Chetry (wk), Chinelle Henry, Poonam Khamnar, Kiran Navgire, Dinesh Vrinda, Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Shweta Sehrawat, Anjali Sarvani, Sophie Ecclestone, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Saima Thakor, Arushi Goel, Kranti Goud, Gouher Sultana.