Can execution match intent for Warriorz?

Having retained just a single player – an inconsistent but learning Shweta Sehrawat at that – UP Warriorz made it abundantly clear that it was open to a drastic makeover, provided a change of fortunes came along. Armed with a purse worth ₹14.5 crore, the Warriorz had a great run at the mega auction, retaining key players from the squads of the seasons gone by and making smart acquisitions who might add a certain sheen to the attack.

While the franchise has nailed the messaging game with carefully curated celebrity collaborations and on-ground and digital activations, the Capri Sports-owned franchise looks laser-focussed on the actual prize – a maiden Women’s Premier League crown.

Towards that end, an early coaching change brought in Abhishek Nayar in place of Jon Lewis. In the auction, the Warriorz think-tank bagged three of the five most expensive players.

In skipper Meg Lanning, Warriorz don’t just have the stability of the most astute tactical mind in the game, but also an oasis of runs at the top of the order. The side also has the experience and match-winning abilities of cricketing nomads like Shikha Pandey and Deandra Dottin, alongside the young audacity of Kranti Gaud and Phoebe Litchfield. Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone’s pairing in the spin arsenal can make the most confident batters quake.

That said, the lack of a frontline ’keeper might sting the Warriorz. Shweta, Shipra Giri, and even Litchfield are options, with the toss-up potentially being between the two Indians.

Warriorz made the eliminator in 2023, something they haven’t managed to replicate since. Too many overseas players meant a struggle to steady the playing XI. A shaky Indian core left too much for the likes of Deepti to do. This time, those gaping holes look plugged. Can execution match intent? It should, if the Warriorz want to emerge from the quicksands of bottom finishes.

The squad: Meg Lanning (Capt.), Kiran Navgire, Phoebe Litchfield, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Simran Shaikh, Asha Sobhana Joy, Charli Knott, Chloe Tryon, Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Pratika Rawal, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Suman Meena, and Trisha Gongadi.

Warriorz’s fixtures: At Navi Mumbai: Jan. 10: vs Gujarat Giants*; Jan. 12: Royal Challengers Bengaluru; Jan. 14: Delhi Capitals; Jan 15: Mumbai Indians; Jan. 17: MI*.

At Vadodara: Jan. 22: GG; Jan. 29: RCB; Feb. 1: DC.

(*3 p.m. start, rest of the matches begin at 7.30 p.m.)