Former Australia captain Meg Lanning has been named the new captain of UP Warriorz (UPW) for the upcoming Women’s Premier League (WPL) season. Lanning will be taking over the captaincy from India’s Deepti Sharma, who led the team in the previous season in place of Alyssa Healy.
Expressing her excitement, Lanning stated, “It is a real honor to be named captain of the UP Warriorz. This is a talented group with a strong mix of international experience and Indian players, and I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Known for her successful leadership in women’s cricket, Lanning has led Australia to five World Cup titles and a Commonwealth Games gold medal. She was acquired by UPW for Rs 1.9 crore in the last year’s mega auction after not being retained by Delhi Capitals.
Meg Lanning’s appointment has been praised by UPW head coach Abhishek Nayar, who highlighted her experience, clarity, and calmness as key leadership qualities. Lanning’s track record in the WPL includes leading Delhi Capitals to the final in all three seasons, although they finished as runners-up each time.
UP Warriorz COO, Kshemal Waingankar, emphasized the significance of Lanning’s captaincy, stating that her leadership credentials align well with the team’s vision for the upcoming season. Lanning, who has played 27 WPL matches, will kick off the 2026 campaign against Gujarat Giants on January 10 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
