UP Warriors (UPW) has carried out a massive strategic reset ahead of wpl 2026 mega auctionRetaining only uncapped Indian batsman Shweta SehrawatThis bold move has fetched them the biggest auction amount of Rs 14,5 crore and a significant profit Four Right-to-Match (RTM) cardsTheir strategy will not be just about buying new players, but using RTM on their released stars to secure them at market value, saving fixed retention costs and then filling major gaps using the remaining purse, There are 5 key players here (a mix of RTM priorities and new goals), UP Warriors WPL should proceed aggressively in 2026 mega auction:
UP Warriors may target 5 players in WPL 2026 mega auction
UP Warriors’ primary goal will be to re-establish a stable leadership and world-class bowling backbone.
1. Deepti Sharma (RTM Priority – All Round Control)
- Role: World class Indian all-rounder (off-spin and finisher)
- Why aim: Deepti Sharma Arguably the most valuable multi-faceted Indian player in the auction. his recent best player of the tournament performance on Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 (215 runs and 22 wickets) proves his importance. Releasing him was a financial strategy to save fixed retention costs and use the RTM card to secure him at the final bid price. He is important for both Indian leadership and batting/bowling depth.
2. Sophie Ecclestone (RTM Priority – Bowling Spine)
- Role: World’s best T20 left-arm spinner
- Why aim: Ecclestone is the architect of any bowling attack and a world-class operator. His low economy rate and high wicket-taking ability is unmatched. Along with Deepti, she gives the Warriors their core identity of controlling the middle overs with spin. It is important to protect them with RTM to quickly reassemble their typical bowling attack.
3. Meg Lanning (New Alien Captain – Lead)
- Role: World class batsman and proven WPL captain
- Why aim: Their former captain, Alyssa Healy, has also been released and possibly for a big price, UPW should aggressively target meg lanningwho was surprisingly released Delhi CapitalsLanning is arguably the most successful captain in women’s cricket and has led DC to three consecutive WPL finals, Their availability provides a great opportunity to immediately establish a winning and structurally strong leadership culture in the team,
4. Pooja Vastrakar (Indian fast bowler – seam all-rounder)
- Role: Indian pace-bowling all-rounder
- Why aim: UPW is in dire need of Indian fast bowling to complement its spin strength. Pooja Vastrakar (Issued by Mumbai Indians) is a high-impact pace option who can hit 120+ kmph and is a capable lower-order power-hitter. He fills two key deficiencies, an Indian fast bowler and an Indian all-rounder, and is expected to command a premium price, but one UPW has the purse to afford.
5. Laura Wolvaardt (Foreign opener/batsman – top-order consistency)
- Role: brilliant foreign top order batsman
- Why aim: Issued by gujarat giants, Laura Wolvaardt Has been in phenomenal form (notably, two consecutive centuries in the 2025 ODI World Cup semi-finals and final). She provides top-order stability and high-scoring ability that UPW often lacks. Paired with retained Shweta Sehrawat, she can form a reliable and high-scoring opening/top-order partnership.
Also read: 3 teams that can target Meg Lanning in WPL 2026 mega auction
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.
