Former Australia captain Meg Lanning has been appointed as the new skipper of UP Warriorz (UPW) for the upcoming season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), as announced by the franchise on its social media accounts.
At UPW, Meg will take over the captaincy from India’s off-spin bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who led the franchise during the 2025 season in the absence of regular captain and Meg’s former Australia team-mate, wicketkeeper-batter Alyssa Healy.
Meg’s Statement on Captaincy
“It is a real honour to be named captain of the UP Warriorz. As the WPL enters its fourth season, it’s been incredible to see how the league has evolved, the quality of cricket, the competitiveness, and the emergence of exciting new talent continue to raise the standard each year.
“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,” Meg said in a franchise statement.
Record as a Captain
Meg, 33, is considered one of the most successful captains in women’s cricket history, having led Australia to five World Cup titles across both white-ball formats and a Commonwealth Games gold medal during her tenure. She joined UPW for Rs 1.9 crore at last year’s mega auction in New Delhi after DC did not retain her.
Coach’s Confidence in Meg
“Meg brings a rare combination of experience, clarity, and calmness that sets her apart as a leader. 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,” said Abhishek Nayar, UPW head coach.
Previous Achievements in the WPL
In the WPL, Meg led her previous team Delhi Capitals (DC) to the final in all three seasons but finished as runners-up in 2023, 2024, and 2025. She won the Orange Cap in the 2023 WPL while forming a formidable partnership with India opener Shafali Verma.
Vision for the Future
“Meg Lanning’s appointment as captain is a significant step for the UP Warriorz as we continue to build a strong and competitive franchise. Her leadership credentials and consistency at the highest level align perfectly with our vision for the team. We believe her presence will add tremendous value both on and off the field as we head into WPL 2026,” stated Kshemal Waingankar, COO of UP Warriorz.
Career Statistics
In her WPL career so far, Meg has played 27 matches and scored 952 runs at a strike rate of 127.10, including nine half-centuries. UPW, yet to win the WPL, will open their 2026 campaign against Gujarat Giants (GG) at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on January 10.