Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma, for whom the Capri Global Holdings Private Limited franchise UP Warriorz went bankrupt in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, was announced as the vice-captain for Saturday’s inaugural edition of the tournament. Deepti, who hails from Agra, was one of the most sought after Indian players in the auction. The 25-year-old, who is a vital part of India’s women’s team, is one of the few players from the country to have competed in franchise tournaments outside of India. Deepti, who has taken 6 wickets in five matches at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, brings with him a wealth of experience and leadership experience and will play an important role in the leadership group.
A superb spinner, reliable batsman and weapons fielder, Deepti was part of Western Storm (Super League), Sydney Thunder (Women’s Big Bash League), Birmingham Phoenix and London Spirit (both The Hundred) in her stints in franchise cricket outside from India. In the 30 matches Deepti has played in franchise cricket abroad, she has taken 32 wickets and also scored 394 runs. In India, in the Women’s T20 Challenge, she has also competed with the Trailblazers and Velocity.
One of those whom the Indian captain turns to in the most difficult moments, Deepti is no stranger to the big event in world cricket and has played 92 matches in T20Is and is the leading wicket taker for the Indian team, with 102 scalps on her name. While her off-break can cause mayhem among opposing hitters, Deepti is an equally impressive hitter, scoring nearly 1,000 runs in T20Is with two half-centuries to her credit.
Deepti, who made her debut in the T20Is in 2016, is one of the oldest members of the Indian women’s team, who were semi-finalists at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.
“As someone from Uttar Pradesh, I am not only extremely happy to be a part of the UP Warriorz team, but also very happy to have been named vice-captain of the team. Along with captain Alyssa Healy and the other senior players “We hope we can keep the team functioning well and playing fantastic cricket. We hope our achievements in the WPL can become a source of inspiration for the young female athletes in UP and we are eagerly awaiting the start of the tournament,” said Deepti in a statement.
“Deepti Sharma is one of the most talented Indian cricketers and we are confident that her leadership skills will come to the fore and she will be able to make a big impact. The entire state of Uttar Pradesh is going to watch their favorite daughter, and we would like to see her succeed in her new role as Vice Captain of the UP Warriorz,” said Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director, Capri Global Holdings Private Limited.
Coached by England’s Jon Lewis, the UP Warriorz side has Anju Jain as assistant coach, while former Australian cricketer Ashley Noffke is the bowling coach and four-time world champion Lisa Sthalekar is the team’s mentor.
The Women’s Premier League will be played in Mumbai from March 4 to 26, 2023. A total of 22 matches will be played with Brabourne Stadium and DY Patil Stadium hosting the major tournament. The UP Warriorz open their campaign on March 5 with the second game of the day when they take on the Gujarat Giants at DY Patil Stadium.
UP Warriorz Squad: Alyssa Healy (Captain), Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Tahlia McGrath, Shabnim Ismail, Anjali Sarvani, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Parshavi Chopra, Shweta Sehrawat, S Yashasri, Kiran Navgire, Grace Harris, Devika Vaidya, Lauren Bell, Laxmi Yadav, Simran Shaikh .
Featured video of the day
Fans blown away as India beat Australia by 6 wickets in the 2nd Test
Topics mentioned in this article