The Capri Global Holdings Private Limited-owned franchise UP Warriorz announced vice-captain for the upcoming Women's Premier League (WPL) 2023. The star India all-rounder will be Alyssa Healy's deputy for the inaugural edition of the tournament which will commence from March 4.
The 25-year-old was roped in by UP Warriorz for a whopping Rs 2.6 crore in the first ever WPL auctions. Deepti is an important name in India's women's cricket set up.
"Along with captain Alyssa Healy, and the other senior players, we hope we can make the team function well and play some fantastic cricket," Deepti said in a statement ahead of the tournament.
"We hope our performances in the WPL can become a source of inspiration for the young women athletes in UP and we are keenly awaiting the start of the tournament,” the local star added.
In the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup, where India suffered a 5-run defeat to Australia in semifinals, Deepti bagged six wickets in five games.
A superb spinner, a dependable batter and a gun fielder, Deepti was part of Western Storm (Super League), Sydney Thunder (Women's Big Bash League), Birmingham Phoenix, and London Spirit (both The Hundred) in her stints in franchise cricket outside of India. In the 30 games that Deepti has played in franchise cricket abroad, she has picked 32 wickets, scoring 394 runs as well. In India, during the Women's T20 Challenge, she has turned out for the Trailblazers and Velocity as well.
Deepti, one of those who the Indian captain turns to in the toughest moments, is no stranger to the big occasion in the world of cricket and has played 92 games in T20Is and is the leading wicket-taker for the Indian team, with 102 scalps to her name. While her off-break can cause havoc among the opposition batters, Deepti is as impactful a batter, having scored close to 1,000 runs in T20Is with two half-centuries to her name.
"Deepti Sharma is one of the most talented Indian cricketers and we are confident that her leadership qualities will shine through and she will be able to have a big impact. The whole state of Uttar Pradesh is going to be watching their favourite daughter, and we are keen to see her succeed in her new role as vice-captain of the UP Warriorz," said Rajesh Sharma, Managing Director, Capri Global Holdings Private Limited.
The UP Warriorz will open their campaign on March 5, with the second game of the day when they face the Gujarat Giants at the DY Patil Stadium.
UP Warriorz Squad: Alyssa Healy (Captain), Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Tahlia McGrath, Shabnim Ismail, Anjali Sarvani, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Parshavi Chopra, Shweta Sehrawat, S Yashasri, Kiran Navgire, Grace Harris, Devika Vaidya, Lauren Bell, Laxmi Yadav, Simran Shaikh.
