Kiran Navgire Excited to Rejoin UP Warriorz for WPL 2026 Alongside Meg Lanning

Kiran Navgire, the fastest centurion in women's T20 cricket, is thrilled to return to UP Warriorz for the 2026 WPL season. She looks forward to playing alongside Australian cricket legend Meg Lanning, whose experience is expected to benefit the team. Navgire has made a name for herself with impressive performances, including a record-breaking 34-ball century. As the WPL approaches, UP Warriorz aims for their first title, having previously reached the playoffs. Read on to discover more about Navgire's journey and her aspirations for the upcoming season.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 5, 2025, 02:14 IST

Kiran Navgire Returns to UP Warriorz

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 4: Indian cricketer Kiran Navgire, renowned for being the fastest centurion in women's T20 cricket, has expressed her enthusiasm about rejoining the UP Warriorz for the upcoming 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. She is particularly thrilled to play alongside the legendary Australian cricketer Meg Lanning, a multi-time World Cup champion.

Navgire, who has been part of all three previous WPL seasons with UPW, was retained by the franchise using the right-to-match card for ₹60 lakh during the recent WPL auction. Over her 25 matches with the team, she has accumulated 419 runs, averaging 17.45 with a strike rate exceeding 140, including one half-century.

In an interview on JioHotstar, Kiran shared her feelings about returning to the team and teaming up with Lanning. She stated, “I am really excited about this opportunity. I wanted to play for UP Warriorz this season. I have developed a strong connection with the players and staff, so I am thrilled to be back. Playing with Meg Lanning has always been a dream of mine, and I feel fortunate that she is now part of our squad. Her extensive experience from winning numerous World Cups and leading the Delhi Capitals to finals in recent seasons will be invaluable for us this year. I am eager to learn from her.”

Lanning, a three-time WPL finalist and a prominent figure in international cricket, was acquired by UPW for ₹1.90 crores.

Navgire recounted the moment she learned about her retention while training, saying, “I was practicing in the nets while my friends followed the auction. When my name was announced, they called me, and we all celebrated together.”

Although she has played only six T20 internationals for India, scoring 17 runs, Navgire gained recognition for her record-breaking century in women’s T20 cricket, where she scored a 34-ball ton for Maharashtra against Punjab in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. In that tournament, she amassed 233 runs in seven innings, averaging 46.60 with an impressive strike rate of 235.35, including a century and a fifty. She surpassed New Zealand's Sophie Devine, who previously held the record for the fastest T20 century with a 36-ball score in 2021.

The fourth edition of the WPL is set to take place from January 9 to February 5 next year, across Navi Mumbai and Vadodara, with UPW aiming for their first title. Their best performance to date was reaching the playoffs in the inaugural season.