UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar shed light on the franchise’s surprise decision to release star all-rounder Deepti Sharma ahead of the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 season. Deepti, who was recently named the Player of the Tournament in India’s triumphant ODI World Cup campaign, found herself among several high-profile names dropped by the franchise despite her stellar form. The UP-based side, which made it to the playoffs in the inaugural edition of the WPL, has opted for a major overhaul this time around. From their previous roster, only promising youngster Shweta Sehrawat remains from the uncapped Indian pool. Overseas stalwarts Alyssa Healy, Sophie Ecclestone, Grace Harris, Tahlia McGrath and Alana King were let go, along with Indian names like Deepti Sharma and Kranti Goud.
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I keep talking Jio StarNayar admitted that such decisions are never easy, but insisted that the franchise wanted to reset and enter the mega-auction with flexibility and a healthy wallet. “When it comes to retention, it’s always difficult because you’re dealing with world-class players and leaders in their own right,” Nayar explained. “The idea of the franchise was to start over, have more money available in the wallet and build a team that can go all the way.” He also hinted that the Warriorz could try to bring back some of their released players via auction. “We wanted to make sure we had enough resources to get the players we believe can win the championship – and hopefully get some of them back in the auction,” he added. Deepti, who produced a sensational all-round performance in the ODI World Cup – scoring 215 runs and taking 22 wickets, including a match-winning fifty and five in the final against South Africa – was seen as one of the key figures in India’s campaign. Her omission from the Warriorz roster therefore raised eyebrows. Nayar concluded by reaffirming that while the choices may seem bold, the franchise’s intent is clear. “These calls are never easy, but we believe in our process. The aim now is to go into the auction with intention, make smart decisions and put together a side capable of winning the title,” he said.
