In a blockbuster move at the Women's Premier League (WPL) auction in Delhi, Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma made a triumphant return to the UP Warriorz franchise for a staggering ₹3.20 crore. The team utilized their valuable Right to Match (RTM) card to secure the World Cup star, whom they had surprisingly released ahead of the bidding event.
A Record-Breaking Investment
The decision to buy back Deepti Sharma at a significantly higher price underscores the immense faith the franchise has in her abilities. This move comes hot on the heels of her phenomenal performance in the recently concluded Women's World Cup, where she etched her name in the history books. Sharma became the first cricketer, male or female, to achieve the double of 200 runs and 20 wickets in a single edition of the tournament. She scored 215 runs and took 22 wickets in just nine matches.
Her proven track record in the WPL further justifies the massive bid. Having played 25 WPL matches, Deepti has scored 507 runs at a strike rate of 117.63 and has taken 27 wickets, establishing herself as a genuine match-winner.
Coach Nayar on the Marquee Signing
Speaking about the high-profile acquisition, UP Warriorz chief coach Abhishek Nayar expressed his unwavering confidence in the all-rounder. "What can I say about Deepti? The cricket world now knows her talent after her World Cup show," Nayar stated. "When so much money is bid on a player, they are definitely worth it and it reflects their ability as well."
On the strategic use of the RTM card to bring back released players, he explained, "When there was an opportunity in the auction to bring back our released players through RTM, we utilised it in the best interest of the team." This move was clearly a calculated part of the team's overall auction strategy.
Leadership and a Strengthened Squad
With the acquisition of Australian legend Meg Lanning for ₹1.9 crore, questions arose about the team's captaincy. When asked about who would lead the side, Coach Nayar indicated that a decision is yet to be made. "There is a lot of time to think about that. We were only strategising to bring more experience into the team; however, we do love to have an experienced skipper," he remarked, leaving the door open for a fascinating leadership discussion.
The UP Warriorz have built a formidable squad for the upcoming season. Alongside Deepti Sharma and Meg Lanning, the team boasts other significant purchases like Shikha Pandey (₹2.40 CR) and Phoebe Litchfield (₹1.2 CR), creating a powerful and experienced core ready to challenge for the title.
