WPL 2027: Veda Krishnamurthy backs Deepti Sharma to captain UP Warriorz
Synopsis
Former India batter Veda Krishnamurthy wants UP Warriorz to hand the WPL 2027 captaincy to Deepti Sharma — and the logic is hard to ignore. With five overseas stars competing for four XI spots, tying the armband to a foreign player forces their selection regardless of form. Making Deepti captain, Veda argues, frees the franchise to pick the best overseas XI combination every match.
Key Takeaways
Veda Krishnamurthy has publicly backed Deepti Sharma to captain UP Warriorz in the WPL 2027 season.
UP Warriorz's overseas roster includes Meg Lanning , Phoebe Litchfield , Sophie Ecclestone , Sophie Molineux , and Grace Harris — five players competing for four XI spots .
Veda argued that an overseas captain is effectively 'bound' to be in the XI, complicating selection when form dips.
Deepti Sharma has been with the franchise since the inaugural WPL edition , giving her four years of continuity.
Veda suggested Meg Lanning could remain part of the leadership group in an advisory capacity without wearing the armband.
Former India batter Veda Krishnamurthy has urged UP Warriorz to appoint an Indian player as captain for the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2027 season, specifically naming experienced all-rounder Deepti Sharma as the ideal candidate. Veda argued the move would give the franchise far greater flexibility when selecting from their heavily stacked overseas pool.
The Case for an Indian Captain
UP Warriorz have assembled a formidable overseas contingent, featuring Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Ecclestone, Sophie Molineux, and Grace Harris. With WPL rules permitting only four overseas players in the playing XI, the captaincy question carries direct bearing on team selection.
Veda contends that tying the captaincy to an overseas recruit effectively forces the franchise to field that player regardless of form or match conditions. 'If you have an overseas player as the captain, you are bound to play them in the XI. That unsettles things a little bit if they are not in form,' she said in an interview with JioStar.
Why Deepti Sharma Makes Sense
Deepti Sharma, a right-arm off-break bowling all-rounder, has been with UP Warriorz since the inaugural WPL edition — giving her four years of institutional knowledge within the franchise. Veda highlighted this continuity as a key factor. 'When you have Deepti Sharma, who has been there for four years, I honestly feel it is time for UP Warriorz to think in that direction,' she said.
Notably, Deepti's dual value as a batter and bowler means her inclusion in the playing XI is rarely in question, making her a natural fit for the captaincy role without the selection complications that come with an overseas leader.
Lanning as Mentor, Not Captain
Veda was careful not to diminish Meg Lanning's contribution, suggesting the former Australia captain could serve a leadership advisory role within the group. 'It doesn't have to be Meg Lanning as captain. It can be Deepti Sharma as captain, with Meg Lanning helping her along. That probably solves a lot of problems because then you can look at the best possible options you would want in your playing XI,' Veda explained.
She also pointed to Lanning's reduced international cricket schedule of late, noting the veteran has primarily been playing franchise leagues — a factor that could make automatic selection decisions more complicated under existing squad dynamics.
Broader Implications for WPL Franchises
Veda's remarks touch on a strategic debate that several WPL franchises are navigating: whether to prioritise leadership continuity through an Indian captain or leverage the marquee value and experience of an overseas skipper. This comes ahead of the WPL 2027 auction and squad-building cycle, when franchises will finalise their leadership structures.
As the WPL matures into its fourth season, the pressure on franchises to optimise overseas slots — and not let captaincy choices constrain selection — is only set to grow.
Point of View
Which built their brand partly on Meg Lanning's star power, is willing to publicly shift that dynamic. Lanning's declining international footprint makes the timing of this conversation particularly pointed.
NationPress
3 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Veda Krishnamurthy calling for an Indian captain at UP Warriorz?
Veda Krishnamurthy argues that having an overseas captain forces the franchise to include that player in the playing XI regardless of form, which complicates team selection when five overseas players are competing for four spots. Appointing an Indian captain like Deepti Sharma, she says, gives UP Warriorz more freedom to pick the best overseas combination each match.
Who has Veda Krishnamurthy recommended as captain of UP Warriorz for WPL 2027?
Veda has specifically named Deepti Sharma as the ideal captaincy candidate, citing her four-year association with the franchise since the inaugural WPL edition and her consistent value as a bowling all-rounder who is rarely a selection doubt.
What role did Veda suggest for Meg Lanning at UP Warriorz?
Veda suggested that Meg Lanning could remain part of the leadership group in a mentoring or advisory capacity, helping guide Deepti Sharma without necessarily holding the captaincy herself. She noted that Lanning has not been playing international cricket recently and has been primarily involved in franchise leagues.
How many overseas players can WPL teams field in the playing XI?
WPL rules permit franchises to field a maximum of four overseas players in the playing XI. UP Warriorz currently have five prominent overseas names in their squad, making the captaincy and selection strategy particularly consequential.
When is the WPL 2027 season expected?
WPL 2027 is the fourth edition of the Women's Premier League. Franchises are currently in their squad-building and strategy phase ahead of the upcoming auction and season cycle, making this the relevant window for captaincy decisions.
