Indian allrounder Deepti Sharma will be leading UP Warriorz in WPL 2025 in the absence of regular skipper Alyssa Healy. The Australian, who just recently played the one-off Ashes Test purely as a batter due to a stress reaction, has been advised to rest for the next few weeks and as a result, will skip this year's edition.

Deepti has been a part of the UP Warriorz right from the inaugural edition and is their second highest wicket-taker with 19 wickets from 17 games. With the bat, she has scored 385 runs with 295 of those coming last year when she was named the MVP. During her incredible run last year, Deepti had also become the first Indian to pick up a hat-trick in the WPL.

The 27-year-old, who is India's leading wicket-taker in T20Is, hails from Uttar Pradesh and will become the first player to lead her home franchise in their home stadium with the tournament expanding to more venues this season. UP Warriorz kickstart their campaign on February against Gujarat Giants and are scheduled to play three games at home next month.

"I am delighted and honoured to be named captain of the UP Warriorz, which is a team from my home state," Deepti said on her appointment. "The UP Warriorz has a fantastic squad, and we are confident that we will entertain our fans with the Warriorz brand of cricket, at the WPL this season as well. We can't wait to play in Lucknow in front of our home fans, and hope to inspire the next generation of women athletes."