UP Warriorz Coach Highlights Strategic Player Acquisitions for WPL 2025

Strategic Player Acquisitions at WPL 2025 Auction

Abhishek Nayar, the Head Coach of UP Warriorz (UPW), elaborated on the team's strategic player acquisitions during the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 auction, which took place on November 27. The team successfully retained Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma for a substantial Rs 3.2 crore ahead of the upcoming fourth season, set to kick off on January 9, 2026.

Deepti Sharma: A Valuable Addition

In an interview on JioHotstar, Nayar expressed his excitement about retaining Deepti Sharma, emphasizing her consistent performance over the years. He described acquiring her for Rs 3.5 crore as an exceptional deal, stating, "It's rare to find a player with such a track record. Our strategy was to observe how the auction progressed, and securing her was a significant win for us. Deepti has always been a priority for our team, and we are thrilled to have her back."

Sophie Ecclestone: An Unexpected Bargain

The Warriorz also managed to secure Sophie Ecclestone using their Right To Match (RTM) card for just Rs 85 lakh. Nayar noted that this acquisition was a pleasant surprise, as they had anticipated spending around Rs 1.8 crore. He remarked, "Most players went for the expected amounts, but Sophie was an unexpected find. She's a top-tier player with a proven track record. Getting her for Rs 85 lakh was a delightful surprise, and I believe the timing was advantageous for us."

Overall Success of Auction Strategy

Nayar reflected on the overall success of their auction strategy, stating that they managed to sign nearly all the players they had targeted. "Aside from Amelia, whom we couldn't secure, we successfully acquired almost everyone we aimed for. Shree Charani was a last-minute addition to our plans. We initially thought acquiring Sophie would be challenging, and having Charani alongside her would have been ideal since they bowl in different phases. Now that she didn't join us, we will reassess our strategy moving forward," Nayar concluded.