Meg Lanning arrives as UP Warriorz search for lost direction

Where they finished in WPL 2025: UP Warriorz' performances have only been on the wane with each passing season. After ending up third and fourth in the first two seasons of WPL, UP Warriorz endured their worst season by finishing at the bottom of the table in 2025. Their campaign began with two losses, and just when they seemed to have found a rhythm, they again slipped into a run of three losses. In the absence of Alyssa Healy, the leadership lacked experience and the batting was found wanting.

Mega-auction overhaul: Having retained only Shweta Sehrawat as the uncapped pick, UP Warriorz had a busy day at the auctions. They spent big to bring back Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone, but also reposed faith in the likes of Kiran Navgire and Kranti Gaud. The biggest highlight of their bids was the interest they showed in acquiring the services of Meg Lanning, the former Australian skipper, who was eventually snapped for INR 2.9 Crore. They also tussled it out with RCB for Shikha Pandey, shelling out INR 2.4 Crore on the experienced pace bowling all-rounder.

The one big missing piece in the squad is a strong candidate for the wicketkeeper's role. They have Shipra Giri as an inexperienced option, with Shweta Sehrawat and Kiran Navgire also having the ability to fill-in that role. Head coach Abhishek Nayar has hinted at having a makeshift 'keeper take up the full-time responsibility.

Newsmaker(s): To turn their fortunes around, and make a serious bid for the WPL title, UP Warriorz have roped in the services of arguably the greatest captain in women's cricket - Meg Lanning. There has been more to the leadership shuffle. As the head coach of UPW, Abhishek Nayar has taken up his first high-profile assignment in women's cricket following the exit of Jon Lewis who coached the side for the first three seasons.

Watch out for:Kiran Navgire. The 31-year-old hard-hitting batter had shown sparks of her destructive potential - and the ability to power the game away from the opposition - last season. Since then, a change in training and diet have aided her development as a more agile and fitter cricketer. It has reflected in her batting performances as well. In the Senior Women's T20 Trophy this season, she has averaged 46.60, and scored at a strike rate of 235.35. In the Inter-Zonal T20 Trophy, she hammered 245 runs in five innings, at a strike rate of 177.53. UP Warriorz can quickly gain an upper hand if she can dictate terms in the powerplay.

Probable XI: Meg Lanning (c), Kiran Navgire, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Deandra Dottin, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey, S Asha, Kranti Goud

Bench: Simran Shaikh, G Trisha, Shipra Giri, Chloe Tryon, Charlie Knott, Suman Meena

Schedule: With five games packed in eight days, the Navi Mumbai leg is bound to be hectic for UP Warriorz. Moreover, they are set to feature in both the 3.30 PM starter games, which leaves them more susceptible to changing conditions. The Lanning-led side would need to adjust to shifting conditions well, and with only three games to be played in Baroda, make sure they are able to leave a strong mark - at least clinch a couple of wins - in the first leg itself. The DY Patil Stadium is a venue their head coach Nayar would be well-versed with, and it's here that they would need to land the hardest punches.

Jan 10: vs GG at 3:30 PM in Navi Mumbai

Jan 12: vs RCB at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai

Jan 14: vs DC at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai

Jan 15: vs MI at 7:30 PM in Navi Mumbai

Jan 17: vs MI at 3:30 PM in Navi Mumbai

Jan 22: vs GG at 7:30 PM in Vadodara

Jan 29: vs RCB at 7:30 PM in Vadodara

Feb 1: vs DC at 7:30 PM in Vadodara