UP Warriorz have officially announced Meg Lanning as their new captain for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season.
Meg Lanning takes over the leadership role from Deepti Sharma, who led the team last season when regular captain Alyssa Healy was unavailable due to injury.
Why UP Warriorz Chose Meg Lanning
Meg Lanning is one of the most successful captains in women’s cricket history. She was signed by UP Warriorz for INR 1.9 crore at the WPL 2026 mega auction after being released by Delhi Capitals.
She previously led Delhi Capitals to three consecutive WPL finals, showing her strong leadership and match awareness.
Meg Lanning’s Career Highlights
| Category | Achievement |
|---|---|
| International Captaincy | Led Australia to 1 ODI World Cup |
| T20 World Cups | 4 Titles as Captain |
| WPL Matches | 27 |
| WPL Runs | 952 |
| WPL Rank | 3rd highest run-scorer |
Her calm nature, sharp cricketing mind, and experience under pressure make her a perfect choice to guide a young and talented UP Warriorz squad.
Coach’s View on Lanning’s Appointment
UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar praised Lanning’s leadership, saying she brings:
- Clear thinking in tough situations
- Calmness under pressure
- Strong connection with players
- Deep understanding of the game
According to him, these qualities made her the obvious and best choice for captain.
Meg Lanning Reacts to Captaincy Role
Meg Lanning said she feels honoured to lead UP Warriorz. She added that the team has a great mix of international stars and Indian players and promised to work hard together to give their best chance of winning the WPL trophy.
UP Warriorz Captaincy Timeline
| Season | Captain |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Alyssa Healy |
| 2024 | Alyssa Healy |
| 2025 | Deepti Sharma |
| 2026 | Meg Lanning |
Before the 2026 auction:
- Deepti Sharma was released and later re-signed for INR 3.2 crore
- Alyssa Healy went unsold
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UP Warriorz Performance So Far
| Season | Result |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 3rd place (Lost playoff to Mumbai Indians) |
| 2025 | 5th place (3 wins only) |
The team struggled in the 2025 season, and the management now hopes that Meg Lanning’s leadership will bring stability and success in WPL 2026.
The appointment of Meg Lanning as captain marks a new chapter for UP Warriorz. With her proven leadership and strong batting record, fans will be eager to see if she can guide the team to their first WPL title in 2026.
