UP Warriorz have confirmed Meg Lanning as captain for the 2026 Women’s Premier League, opting for the former Australia skipper ahead of India all-rounder Deepti Sharma. Lanning takes over a side still searching for a first WPL title after a couple of middling campaigns.
The 34-year-old arrived at the Lucknow-based franchise for INR 1.9 crore during December’s auction, once Delhi Capitals chose not to retain her. She had steered Capitals to three straight finals, so the Warriorz hierarchy were quick to pounce.
Lanning’s international CV remains formidable—one 50-over World Cup and four T20 crowns for Australia—yet her WPL numbers are equally compelling: 952 runs in 27 matches, third on the all-time chart, scored at a steady clip that tends to keep chasing totals within reach.
Head coach Abhishek Nayar explained the choice in straightforward terms. “Meg brings a rare combination of experience, clarity, and calmness that sets her apart as a leader,” he said. “Her understanding of the game, ability to manage high-pressure moments, and connect with players makes her the ideal captain for this group. We’re confident she will play a key role in shaping the team’s approach this season.”
For Lanning, it is, she said off-mic, “a real honour” to be asked to guide a new dressing-room. Speaking formally, she added: “This is a talented group with a strong mix of international experience and Indian players, and I’m really looking forward to the challenge ahead. We’ll work hard together and give ourselves every opportunity to lift the trophy.”
The captaincy has changed hands regularly. Alyssa Healy led in 2023 and 2024 but missed last season through injury, prompting Deepti’s brief tenure. Both players were released prior to this year’s auction; the Warriorz then re-signed Deepti for INR 3.2 crore, while Healy went unsold, a reminder of how quickly the market can shift.
Results have been mixed. The inaugural 2023 season ended with a play-off defeat to eventual champions Mumbai Indians, good enough for third. The subsequent two editions yielded fifth and fourth-place finishes, not disastrous but never genuinely threatening the league’s frontrunners.
Lanning’s task is therefore twofold: stabilise the top order, where her own run-scoring remains reliable, and develop a leadership core among a squad that blends established India internationals—Sharma, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Kiran Navgire—with overseas recruits such as Grace Harris and Sophie Ecclestone. The Warriorz believe that mix, under a proven tactician, can turn narrow defeats into decisive wins.
Much will hinge on how quickly the side adapts to Lanning’s measured style. She favours clear field settings and disciplined bowling plans, an approach that has served her well on tougher Australian wickets. Whether that translates to the slower, occasionally two-paced surfaces of the WPL could define the team’s campaign.
For now, the message from Lucknow is uncomplicated: a new leader is in, past baggage is out, and the squad has two months of camps and practice matches to knit together before the opening fixture. If Lanning’s record is any guide, they will be organised—and difficult to beat—by the time the first ball is bowled.
