Deepti Sharma Appointed As UP Warriorz Captain For WPL Season 3

February 9, 2025: The UP Warriorz have announced India’s ace all-rounder Deepti Sharma as their new captain for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) Season 3. The announcement was made live during the Amul Cricket Live Show just before India’s ODI match against England, and it marks a significant moment in the history of the franchise.

Born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Deepti will be the first player from the state to captain the UP Warriorz, and she’ll lead the team at their home ground, the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. The 2025 season of WPL will also be the first time the tournament is held in Lucknow, with Deepti captaining the team in front of the home crowd. The UP Warriorz are set to play key matches against the Gujarat Giants (March 3), Mumbai Indians (March 6), and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (March 8).

Deepti, who has been an integral part of the UP Warriorz since Season 1, is one of the best all-rounders in women’s cricket. She made history in Season 2 of the WPL by becoming the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in the tournament, against the Delhi Capitals. That performance earned her the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for the season. Throughout 17 WPL games, Deepti has scored 385 runs and taken 19 wickets, solidifying her role as a key player in the Warriorz lineup.

In addition to her domestic success, Deepti was a crucial member of the London Spirit squad that won The Hundred in 2024. She’s also represented Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder in the Women’s Big Bash League, further enhancing her international experience.

Deepti’s impact extends to the Indian women’s national team. She was part of the squad that won the 2022 Asia Cup and reached the final of the 2020 Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia. As of 2023, she holds the record for the highest number of T20I wickets for India, becoming the first Indian to take 100 T20I wickets across both the men’s and women’s game.

In her first two seasons with the UP Warriorz, the team, under captain Alyssa Healy, made it to the playoffs in the inaugural season. Now, as the newly appointed captain, Deepti expressed her pride and excitement about leading her home-state team.

“It is an honor to be named captain of the UP Warriorz, a team from my home state. We have a fantastic squad, and we are ready to entertain our fans with exciting cricket this season. I am thrilled to play in front of our home crowd in Lucknow and hope to inspire the next generation of women athletes,” Deepti said in a statement.

The UP Warriorz will open their WPL Season 3 campaign against the Gujarat Giants on February 16 in Vadodara, marking the beginning of what promises to be an exciting season for Deepti Sharma and the team.