The UP Warriorz have officially appointed Deepti Sharma as the captain for the upcoming Women's Premier League 2025 season. This decision comes in response to regular captain Alyssa Healy being sidelined due to a stress fracture in her right foot, a condition that will prevent her from participating in the tournament.
Deepti Sharma, hailing from Agra, has established herself as a pivotal player for the Warriorz. Her performance speaks volumes; she ranks as the team’s second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 19 wickets over 17 matches. In addition to her bowling credentials, she is the team's third-highest run-scorer with a total of 385 runs in 16 innings. Her contributions during the previous season were particularly noteworthy, although the team fell short of advancing to the playoffs. In WPL 2024, Deepti amassed an impressive 295 runs across eight innings, achieving a strike rate of 136.57 and an exceptional average of 98.33 while also securing ten wickets at an economy rate of 7.23.
With Healy's injury, the Warriorz turned to West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry, who will step in to fill the gap left by the absence of the Australian star. Healy’s impact on the team has been significant. She holds the record for being the team's highest run-scorer with 428 runs in 17 matches. Her ongoing battle with injuries has been a challenge, having missed crucial parts of previous series, including the T20I leg of the Women's Ashes, where she ultimately had to forgo wicketkeeping due to persistent issues. Her injuries have included a ruptured plantar fascia sustained during the T20 World Cup in October 2024, which led to her missing critical matches, including a semi-final against South Africa; in addition, a knee injury during the WBBL 2024-25 season further complicated her participation.
In addition to her performance on the field, Deepti Sharma brings significant leadership experience to her new role. She previously captained Bengal in domestic cricket and also led the East Zone squad during the Senior Women's Inter-Zonal One Day Trophy in 2024. Moreover, her leadership credentials were highlighted when she captained the Velocity team in the Women's T20 Challenge in 2022.
Deepti expressed a sense of pride and responsibility in the announcement concerning her new role as captain. She emphasized her excitement about leading a team from her home state and reaffirmed the Warriorz’s commitment to delivering captivating cricket. The team aims to create engaging experiences for their fans, with a particular emphasis on inspiring the next generation of women athletes. The emails announced keen anticipation to showcase their brand of cricket in front of the home crowd in Lucknow, heightening the significance of their matches this season.
The UP Warriorz will kick off their third season against the Gujarat Giants on February 16 in Vadodara. This season promises to be particularly special, as the team is set to play in Lucknow in front of their home crowd for the first time, adding to the excitement surrounding the matches. Despite the absence of Alyssa Healy, the Warriorz are enthusiastic about their prospects under Deepti Sharma's leadership and are determined to make an impact in the tournament.
As the WPL 2025 season approaches, attention will undoubtedly be focused on how Deepti Sharma leverages her extensive skills and experience to guide her team. The strategic decisions she makes throughout the tournament could greatly influence the team's performance and overall standings. Fans and analysts alike will be closely observing her approach to both tactics and team management as she embarks on this new chapter in her cricketing career. Ultimately, the UP Warriorz have a fantastic opportunity to galvanize their squad around skilled players like Deepti as they seek to establish themselves as strong contenders in the league.