Meg Lanning is back at the helm, this time in new colours, after being named UP Warriorz captain ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season. The legendary former Australia skipper takes charge ahead of India star Deepti Sharma, who led the side last season in the absence of the injured Alyssa Healy.
Lanning joined Warriorz at the 2026 auction for INR 1.9 crore after being released by Delhi Capitals, whom she guided to three consecutive WPL finals. One of the game’s most decorated leaders, Lanning has already lifted one ODI World Cup and four T20 World Cup titles with Australia, and sits third on the WPL’s all-time run-scoring charts with 952 runs from 27 matches.
The Warriorz had previously been captained by Healy in 2023 and 2024, before injury ruled her out of the 2025 campaign, prompting Deepti to step in. Both Healy and Deepti were released ahead of the latest auction, with the franchise re-signing Deepti for INR 3.2 crore, while Healy surprisingly went unsold.
UP Warriorz will now pin their hopes on Lanning’s calm authority and proven winning pedigree as they chase a breakthrough season. Their best finish remains third place in the inaugural 2023 edition, while 2025 brought a disappointing fifth-place result with just three wins, a script the new captain will be desperate to rewrite.
