Last season, UP Warriors had a tough exit in the Women's Premier League, falling short in the eliminator match against Mumbai Indians. Now, with some changes in their squad and new faces added during the auctions, it's time to see how they stack up for the upcoming season.
Strengths:
UP Warriors have some stellar overseas players onboard. Players like Sophie Ecclestone and Talia McGrath bring immense talent to the team. Ecclestone's bowling prowess and McGrath's all-round skills are expected to make a big impact this season.
Another key player to watch out for is Grace Harris. She was a standout performer last season and will be crucial once again with her ability to score quick runs.
Challenges:
One of the challenges for the team lies in selecting the right combination of foreign players. With only four slots available, the competition is tough. It'll be interesting to see who among Chamari Athapaththu, Sophie Ecclestone, and Talia McGrath gets the nod.
Also, the absence of Shabnim Ismail in the bowling department raises concerns. While there are spin options with players like Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Deepti Sharma, the pace attack seems a bit lacking.
Looking Ahead:
As UP Warriors prepare for WPL 2024, there's a mix of optimism and concern. With a strong overseas contingent and players like Grace Harris in their ranks, they have the potential to do well. However, addressing the bowling concerns and making smart decisions with team selection will be crucial for their success.
Meet the Squad:
Here's a look at the UP Warriors squad for WPL 2024:
- Ellyse Perry
- Anjali Sarvani
- Deepti Sharma
- Grace Harris
- Kiran Navgire
- Chamari Athapaththu
- Lakshmi Yadav
- Parvathi Chopra
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad
- S Yashasvi
- Shweta Sahrawat
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Talia McGrath
- Danny Wyatt
- Vrinda Dinesh
- Sima Thakur
- Poonam Khemnar