New Delhi, September 29, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
UP Warriorz all-rounder Deepti Sharma has spoken about the special connection she shares with the franchise, saying her roots in Uttar Pradesh and the support of the local crowd provide her with additional motivation in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
With all five franchises having finalised their retention lists ahead of the 2027 player auction in Kochi on October 28, Deepti reflected on what representing her home state means to her.
“As a player, I always think about how I can stay level-headed, and that mindset pushes me to keep improving. It feels like a great opportunity for me because I belong to UP, from Agra and playing for the UP Warriorz makes that connection special,” Deepti told JioStar.
She said the support from fans makes matches more enjoyable and gives her confidence on the field.
“The crowd supports us, and it feels like we are playing at home. That kind of backing gives you confidence on the field. I want to contribute as much as I can for this team and make the fans proud,” she added.
Deepti has also embraced the responsibility of finishing innings for the Warriorz, a role that requires her to assess match situations quickly and remain composed under pressure.
“The finishers are the ones who close out the game at the end and, I have been given that role with the bat for the UP Warriorz in whatever matches I have played, right from the start,” she said.
Deepti said she focuses on the required total, the number of deliveries remaining and completing the team’s task rather than the pressure of the situation.
“If I stay calm and back my skills, I know I can get the job done. When we think like this during the innings, we learn a lot from that experience. Every match teaches you something new about handling pressure and finishing games,” she added.
Her comments come as UP Warriorz prepare to reshape their squad after finishing at the bottom of the WPL standings in each of the last two seasons.
The franchise has released several prominent overseas and domestic players, including Deandra Dottin, Chloe Tryon, Amy Jones, Asha Sobhana, Shweta Sehrawat and Kiran Navgire.
The changes leave the Warriorz with an opportunity to rebuild their squad at the auction on October 28. Each franchise can have a maximum of 18 players.
The fifth season of the WPL is scheduled to be played from January 14 to February 7, 2027, with venues yet to be announced.
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