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UP Warriorz have reshaped their squad for the 2027 Women’s Premier League season after signing eight players at the auction in Kochi on October 28, 2026. Australia all-rounder Sophie Molineux was the headline addition at ₹1.10 crore, with Grace Harris, Sneh Rana, Sushma Verma, Asha Sobhana, Kathryn Bryce, Manali Dakshini and Sahana Pawar also joining the squad.
The likely playing combination will be built around experienced batter Meg Lanning, India all-rounder Deepti Sharma and left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone. Any predicted XI remains provisional: the final selection will depend on form, fitness, conditions and the balance the team management wants for each match.
A plausible first-choice XI would include Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Grace Harris, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Molineux, Sushma Verma, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud, Sophie Ecclestone and Asha Sobhana. This combination offers top-order experience, multiple all-round options, wicketkeeping cover and a mix of pace and spin.
The four overseas selections in this projection are Lanning, Litchfield, Harris and Ecclestone. Molineux is another overseas option and could replace Harris or Litchfield depending on whether the team prioritises an additional bowling all-rounder or a specialist batter. The WPL’s overseas-player limit means the franchise will need to choose its combination carefully.
There are alternatives in the squad. Pratika Rawal could strengthen the batting order, while Sneh Rana gives the team another experienced Indian all-rounder. Shipra Giri is also available as a wicketkeeping option, and Kathryn Bryce offers an overseas seam-bowling all-rounder option if the conditions call for it.
Molineux was the most expensive of UP Warriorz’s eight auction purchases at ₹1.10 crore. The Australian all-rounder adds left-arm spin and batting depth, and her acquisition was a central part of the team’s recruitment. Grace Harris and Sneh Rana were each bought for ₹30 lakh, while wicketkeeper-batter Sushma Verma also joined at that price.
Asha Sobhana was another ₹30 lakh signing. Kathryn Bryce, Manali Dakshini and Sahana Pawar were acquired for ₹10 lakh each. The eight purchases cost ₹2.60 crore in total, leaving the franchise with room to complete its squad within the auction purse reported ahead of the event.
Harris brings familiarity with the Warriorz setup, while Rana adds domestic experience and flexibility across batting and bowling. Sushma Verma gives the team another wicketkeeping option, and the lower-cost additions provide further depth across the all-round and bowling departments.
UP Warriorz retained a core that includes Lanning, Deepti, Litchfield, Ecclestone, Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud, Shipra Giri and Simran Shaikh. The mix combines international experience with Indian domestic players who can fill different roles across a long tournament.
Lanning is likely to be a key figure at the top of the order, while Litchfield can add left-handed strokeplay. Deepti provides a batting and off-spin option, and Ecclestone remains an important left-arm spin choice. Shikha Pandey and Kranti Gaud can lead the pace attack, with Asha Sobhana offering another spin option.
The challenge for the coaching group will be to create a settled combination from a squad with several overlapping all-round roles. Molineux, Harris, Rana and Bryce all provide flexibility, but selection will require a clear view of the balance needed between batting depth and specialist bowling.
UP Warriorz finished at the bottom of the WPL 2026 table with two wins from eight matches, according to published season coverage. The new signings give the franchise additional options as it looks to improve consistency, particularly in the middle order and across the bowling attack.
The auction strategy appears to favour versatility rather than relying on one specialist role. Molineux, Harris, Rana and Bryce can contribute in more than one discipline, while the additions of Sushma Verma and Asha Sobhana help cover specific positions. The quality of those combinations in match conditions, rather than the names alone, will determine whether the rebuild delivers results.
For now, the XI above should be treated as an informed projection rather than a confirmed team sheet. UP Warriorz’s first official selection of the season will show how the coaching staff weighs overseas combinations, the fitness of its international players and the form of its Indian contingent.
