WPL 2025: Can UP Warriorz Avoid Consuming Themselves In Their Own Chaos?

UP Warriorz have always looked like a solid team made to win T20 games on turning tracks. Full of Australian firepower in batting, and Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone lead a spin bowling attack that has Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Gouher Sultana. It also now boasts one of the best leg spinners in the world in Alana King. 

It’s a fail-proof combination, considering how ahead of the curve Australian batters are from the rest of the world in every facet of the game. Meanwhile, some of the best spinners assembled can embarrass any batting side. 

However, that hasn’t been the case exactly. 

While complaints can be made about the lack of clarity and direction from the Jon Lewis and Lisa Sthalekar-led coaching staff, UPW didn’t help themselves by using only 50 Lakh out of the 3.9 crore purse they had at their disposal in the WPL 2025 mini auction. They needed an experienced overseas or Indian pacer to bolster their frail bowling attack and they failed to get that. 

While they made up for that a bit by getting Windies pace bowling allrounder Chinelle Henry to replace injured skipper Alyssa Healy, their biggest problem remains the dodgy planning and shoddy execution on the field. Let’s see if they can change it the third time or not. 

UP Warriorz Probable Playing XI 

Vrinda Dinesh, Uma Chetry (wk), Kiran Navgire, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Poonam Khemnar, Deepti Sharma, Chinelle Henry, Sophie Ecclestone, Saima Thakor, Kranti Goud/Rajeshwari Gayakwad 

What will win them the trophy

Their middle order

UPW’s middle order consists of Navgire, Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris. In case they opt not to play Chamari Athapaththu, they’ll open with two young Indian openers, so automatically the responsibility of the batting order will fall on these three. 

Navgire has matured as a batter and isn’t the six-or-nothing batter that first appeared on the scene. Meanwhile, in the absence of Healy, McGrath might be leading the side along with handling up the responsibility of holding the batting innings together. Meanwhile, Harris’s power would be needed immensely if UPW hope to finish their innings on a high. 

Their lower middle order of Khemnar, Ecclestone and Deepti lack the same level of batting pedigree and power. So, if the three middle-order batters handle their responsibilities well, UPW might push for the top spots on the points table much more than in the last two years. 

What can lose them the trophy

Chaos

UP Warriorz’ chaos was, is, and will always be a pit for them. 

They tried hard last year by clinging to the individual brilliance of their overseas picks who failed them last season. That fall just broke them.

While the defeated Warriorz would have taken a long, hard look at themselves and their squad, one can only hope that they realised that it’s the boring clarity in vision and execution that will bring them out of this pit of their own making. 

They have match-winning bowlers and swashbuckling batters, and now they need to use them well. 

Who can be UP Warriorz’s MVP

Tahlia McGrath

TMac, as her teammates popularly call her, is an absolute beast of an allrounder who bats at an average of 41.6 and strikes at 132.07 in T20Is. With the ball, she picks a wicket every 15th delivery on average. 

She is also in decent form coming into the WPL, having scored 222 runs at an average of 31.7 and a strike rate of 127.58 in the recently concluded season of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL). She always has had a good time batting in India, scoring freely on the up. With Athapaththu's form being dicey and Healy being absent, UPW would hope that she leads the batting this season. 

If she slips, UPW slip. UPW might be in for an enjoyable ride this season if she aces her role. 

Things to watch out for 

> Vrinda Dinesh was part of UPW’s setup last year but ended her season prematurely after an injury. This time, she’s coming on the back of a stellar domestic season. Expect some fireworks from her. 

> Saima Thakor was the newbie last year when she was impressed with her control and confidence. This time, she’s a known entity and would try her best to avoid sophomore sickness.

> Kranti Goud is a skilful young right-arm pacer from Madhya Pradesh who moves the ball both ways after pitching on the seam. It would be fun to watch her skills at display in the WPL. 

Full Schedule of UP Warriorz

16 Feb - GG vs UPW, Vadodara

19 Feb - UPW vs DC, Vadodara

22 Feb - DC vs UPW, Bengaluru

24 Feb - RCB vs UPW, Bengaluru

26 Feb - MI vs UPW, Bengaluru

3 March - UPW vs GG, Lucknow

6 March - UPW vs MI, Lucknow

8 March - UPW vs RCB, Lucknow