UP Warriorz Go Big: Sophie Molineux Leads Eight New Signings for WPL 2027
UP Warriorz strengthen their WPL 2027 squad with eight new signings, including record-breaking buy Sophie Molineux for Rs 1.10 crore.
The UP Warriorz have sent a clear message of intent ahead of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2027. At the player auction held in Kochi, the franchise aggressively bolstered its ranks, securing eight new players to complement their existing core. The highlight of their campaign was the acquisition of Australian star Sophie Molineux, who became the costliest player of the auction with a price tag of Rs 1.10 crore.
A Record-Breaking Addition
The signing of Sophie Molineux is a massive coup for the Warriorz. The Australian left-arm spinner brings a wealth of international experience and versatile all-round skills to the side. According to the franchise, her arrival is expected to create a lethal partnership with England's Sophie Ecclestone, potentially forming one of the most formidable spin attacks in the league.
Strategic Depth: The New Recruits
Beyond the headline signing of Molineux, the Warriorz focused on adding balance and power to their squad. The team spent Rs 30 lakh each on three key players:
- Grace Harris: The Australian all-rounder is expected to provide explosive power to the middle order.
- Sneh Rana: An Indian all-rounder who adds crucial depth to the bowling and batting departments.
- Asha Sobhana: A bowler brought in to strengthen the team's defensive options.
The franchise also looked toward emerging talent and versatility, spending Rs 10 lakh each on Scotland's Kathryn Bryce, as well as Indian all-rounders Sahana Pawar and Manali Dakshini.
Building Around a Strong Core
The auction additions are designed to slot perfectly into a squad that already retained 10 high-profile players. The Warriorz enter the season with a powerhouse core featuring:
- India's Deepti Sharma
- Former Australian captain Meg Lanning
- England's Sophie Ecclestone
- Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield
The Vision Behind the Strategy
Head coach Abhishek Nayar emphasized that the goal was flexibility. He stated that the franchise sought players who could contribute in various match situations and complement the retained core. Nayar expressed delight over securing Molineux and Harris, noting that they provide the quality and versatility needed to compete at the highest level.
Kshemal Waingankar, COO & Director of Cricket at Capri Sports, echoed this sentiment, highlighting that the new signings allow the team to experiment with different combinations based on pitch conditions and match scenarios. The addition of Grace Harris, in particular, is seen as a way to inject power into the batting lineup.
UP Warriorz Squad for WPL 2027
The completed 18-member squad includes: Deepti Sharma, Shikha Pandey, Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Sophie Molineux, Sophie Ecclestone, Harleen Deol, Kranti Gaud, Pratika Rawal, Grace Harris, Sneh Rana, Asha Sobhana, Sushma Verma, Kathryn Bryce, Sahana Pawar, and Manali Dakshini.