The UP Warriorz on Sunday announced the appointment of Australian great Meg Lanning as the franchise’s new captain ahead of the 2026 Women’s Premier League season.
Lanning, who was signed by the Warriorz for INR 1.9 million in the 2026 WPL auction, brings with her a distinguished leadership record and vast championship winning experience. One of the most successful captains in women’s cricket history, Lanning was part of seven World Cup winning campaigns for Australia, winning two ICC Women’s Cricket World Cups and five ICC Women’s T20 World Cup titles.
Her appointment marks a key transition in the leadership of the franchise. Lanning takes over from Alyssa Healy, who was initially named captain of the UP Warriors but was forced to relinquish the role due to injury. The responsibility was subsequently handed over to Deepti Sharmawho led the side through a challenging phase marked by inconsistent results and availability issues.
As the UP Warriorz enter a new phase of their WPL journey, the decision to hand over the reins to Lanning underscores the franchise’s focus on experience, stability and composure at the management level. Her presence further strengthens the team built on a strong mix of proven international stars and elite Indian talent.
Lanning has also been among the most consistent performers at WPL since its inception. She has scored 952 runs in 27 matches, underscoring her impact at the top of the order across seasons. Known for her ability to handle pressure situations, dictate the tempo in power-plays and anchor key chases, Lanning has established herself as one of the tournament’s standout batsmen.
In response to her appointment, Lanning said it’s an honor to lead the Warriorz. “As the WPL enters its fourth season, it has been incredible to see how the league has evolved – the quality of cricket, the competitiveness and the emergence of exciting new talent raising the standard every year,” she said. “It’s a talented group with a strong mix of international experience and Indian players and I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Head coach Abhishek Nayar praised Lanning’s leadership qualities and described her as ideal for the role. “Meg brings a rare combination of experience, clarity and composure that sets her apart as a leader,” Nayar said. “Her understanding of the game and ability to handle high-pressure moments will be invaluable to this group.”
After qualifying for the playoffs just once in their first three seasons, the UP Warriorz will be hoping that Lanning’s appointment signals a more consistent and competitive chapter as they look to mount a serious title challenge at WPL 2026.
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Issued by:
Amar Panicker
Published on:
January 4, 2026
