• Source:JND

WPL 2026: Former Australian captain Meg Lanning has been appointed as the new captain of UP Warriorz (UPW), taking the reins ahead of the Women's Premier League, which kicks off on January 9.

Lanning previously led Delhi Capitals to the WPL finals in the first three editions, though they fell short of the title each time. Her experience will now be brought to UP Warriorz.

"The Capri Sports-owned UP Warriorz revealed the appointment of Australian legend Lanning as captain of the franchise ahead of the 2026 Women's Premier League (WPL) season," the franchise said in a statement.

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Lanning, a seven-time World Cup winner with Australia, which includes two ODI titles and five T20 titles, was secured by UP Warriorz for Rs 1.9 crore at the auction.

"As the UP Warriorz enters a new phase of their journey, Lanning's appointment underscores the franchise's focus on experience and composure at the leadership level," the franchise said.

UP Warriorz have experienced an overhaul ahead of this year's WPL, having completed third in the inaugural edition in 2023, fourth in 2024 and fifth in the 2025 iteration.

"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," Lanning said in a statement.

"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," she added.

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Former India player and assistant coach Abhishek Nayar, who is now the head coach of UP Warriorz, said, "Meg brings a rare combination of experience, clarity, and calmness that sets her apart as a leader."

The 2026 WPL season will be played in two phases, with the first leg taking place in Navi Mumbai from January 9-17, followed by the second leg in Vadodara from January 19 to February 5.


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