The Gamble That Shocked the WPL: Riskiest WPL Auction Move
When the retention lists for the WPL 2026 Mega Auction were announced, one decision sent a tremor across the league: the UP Warriorz choosing to retain only uncapped batter Shweta Sehrawat, effectively releasing their entire core—including star international captain Alyssa Healy and, most shockingly, Deepti Sharma.
Deepti is not just any player. She is the reigning ICC Women’s World Cup Player of the Tournament, having delivered a historic double of 215 runs and 22 wickets, including a game-changing performance in the final. To release a player of this caliber—an Indian core leader—is arguably the single most high-stakes gamble in WPL history.
The Logic: Clean Slate and Cash
Warriorz Head Coach Abhishek Nayar was quick to explain the move, stating the franchise wanted to “start afresh” and “build a team that can go all the way.”
The logic is purely financial and strategic:
1. Massive Purse: By releasing almost everyone, UP Warriorz enters the auction with a near-maximum purse of ₹14.5 crore—the largest budget among all teams. They have the flexibility to outbid opponents for almost any marquee player.
2. Right to Match (RTM) Cards: They have secured the maximum four RTM cards. This is their safety net. They can use these cards to buy back up to two Indian and two overseas players (like Deepti Sharma and Alyssa Healy) if another team’s bid gets too high, allowing them to control the price.
This move is a calculated risk: sacrifice current stability for maximum power at the auction table.
The Disconnect: Losing an Indian Core
The massive drawback lies in losing their established Indian core and their on-field leadership:
• Captaincy Void: Deepti stepped up to captain the side when Alyssa Healy was injured, demonstrating leadership and composure. Releasing her removes a proven Indian leader who connects the dressing room.
• The All-Round Balance: Deepti is one of the world’s most versatile players. Her WPL stats—averaging nearly 36 with the bat while striking at 120 and delivering crucial off-spin wickets—offer a balance few others can replicate. Losing her forces the team to find two players (a finisher and a reliable spinner) to replace one.
• Optics and Trust: Releasing the national team’s most in-form player immediately after a World Cup win sends a confusing message to the fan base and the players themselves. It risks damaging the team’s public perception.
The Final Verdict: Two Scenarios
This strategy will either be seen as visionary or disastrous:
1. Visionary Success: If UP Warriorz successfully re-acquire Deepti Sharma and Alyssa Healy using their RTM cards at a lower price than what they would have spent on retention, and use their huge purse to sign a few other top-tier Indian players, the gamble pays off.
2. Disastrous Failure: If they are priced out of buying back Deepti, or if another team decides to aggressively drive up her bid beyond a reasonable price (forcing them to use a costly RTM), they will have lost their star Indian all-rounder and face the enormous task of rebuilding an entire competitive squad from a blank slate.
The WPL Mega Auction on November 27th will determine if the Warriorz have pulled off a masterstroke or handed a rival team the most valuable player in world cricket.
