UP Warriorz (UPW) is ready to turn the page after a challenging Women’s Premier League 2025 season. Following a strategic reboot during the November 2025 Mega Auction, the franchise has emerged with a new leader, a powerhouse batting lineup, and a coaching staff led by the innovative Abhishek Nayar.

With a purse of INR 14.5 crore, the Warriorz were the most influential team in the auction room, securing legendary Australian captain Meg Lanning and bringing back their core through Right-to-Match (RTM) cards. As they prepare for their opener against Gujarat Giants on January 10, the Purple and Yellow army looks like a formidable title contender.

UP Warriorz Best Playing XI for WPL 2026

1. Meg Lanning (Captain – Overseas): The legendary ‘Megastar’ moves from Delhi to lead UPW. With 952 WPL runs and a record-breaking trophy cabinet, her leadership is the missing piece for a franchise seeking its first title. She will anchor the innings while providing tactical brilliance on the field.
2. Shweta Sehrawat: The only player retained before the auction, Sehrawat is the future of the franchise. After showing glimpses of her grit in 2025, she is expected to partner Lanning at the top, offering a mix of youth and stability.
3. Phoebe Litchfield (Overseas – AUS): Signed for INR 1.2 crore, the stylish left-hander adds explosive intent to the top order. Currently one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket, her ability to find gaps and manipulate fields makes her the perfect Number 3.
4. Kiran Navgire: The “six-hitting queen” was brought back via RTM for INR 60 Lakh. Coming off a record-breaking 34-ball century in domestic T20s, Navgire is the designated “Impact Player” in the middle order who can take the game away from the opposition in a matter of overs.
5. Deandra Dottin (Overseas – WI): The “Universe Boss” of women’s cricket joins for INR 80 Lakh. Dottin provides raw power in the finishing overs and a vital fourth seam-bowling option, filling the role of a genuine match-winner.
6. Deepti Sharma (Vice-Captain): The most expensive signing for UPW at INR 3.2 crore (RTM). Fresh off being named Player of the Tournament at the 2025 Women’s ODI World Cup, Deepti is the world’s premier all-rounder. Her 4 overs of off-spin and her ability to anchor or finish make her the heartbeat of this XI.
7. Harleen Deol: A tactical acquisition at INR 50 Lakh, Harleen provides middle-order depth and exceptional fielding. Her ability to play spin well will be crucial on the turning tracks of Navi Mumbai and Vadodara.
8. Sophie Ecclestone (Overseas – ENG): The world’s No. 1 spinner returns for INR 85 Lakh (RTM). Ecclestone is the ultimate “cheat code” in the WPL, capable of choking runs in the middle overs and providing handy lower-order cameos with the bat.
9. Shikha Pandey: In a massive move, UPW spent INR 2.4 crore to secure the veteran Indian seamer. Her experience and ability to swing the new ball provide the leadership the pace attack desperately needed.
10. Asha Sobhana: The leg-spin sensation was signed for INR 1.1 crore. Her wicket-taking ability in the middle overs makes her the perfect partner for Ecclestone and Deepti, forming perhaps the deadliest spin trio in the league.
11. Kranti Gaud: Re-signed for INR 50 Lakh (RTM), the young domestic pacer will share the new ball duties with Shikha Pandey. Her raw pace and recent domestic form have made her one of the most talked-about Indian prospects.

Also READ: Aakash Chopra predicts the winner and Orange Cap holder for WPL 2026 edition

Tactical Breakdown

• The Lanning Leadership: Replacing Alyssa Healy, Lanning brings a “win-at-all-costs” mentality. Her partnership with head coach Abhishek Nayar is designed to fix the tactical inconsistencies that plagued the team in 2025.
• The “Spin Choke”: With Ecclestone, Deepti, and Asha Sobhana, UPW can field 12 overs of world-class spin. On the dry, late-season tracks in Vadodara, this will be their primary weapon to defend any total.
• The Pace Concern: While Shikha Pandey brings experience, the seam department is relatively thin. The team will rely heavily on Deandra Dottin to chip in with her medium pace to support the frontline duo.
• Power Finishing: In Navgire and Dottin, UPW possesses two of the cleanest ball-strikers in the game. Their role is to ensure that the platform built by Lanning and Litchfield is converted into 180+ scores.

Impact Player Options

• Pratika Rawal: A versatile batter and off-break bowler who can step in if the top order needs more stability.
• Chloe Tryon: A world-class overseas backup. If the pitch is a “dustbowl,” she could replace Dottin or Litchfield to provide extra spin and power-hitting.
• Charli Knott: The late replacement for Tara Norris, Knott is a dynamic young Australian all-rounder who provides a high-energy option on the field.

Also READ: WPL 2026: RCB’s best playing XI for the Women’s Premier League

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandhok (Image credit: X)

NEW DELHI: Wedding celebrations are set to take centre stage in the Tendulkar household, with reports confirming that Arjun Tendulkar and Saaniya Chandok have locked in their wedding date. The couple is expected to tie the knot in March, bringing an end to months of speculation around their plans.The development comes after a period of largely private celebrations, with the family choosing to keep details under wraps.

Arjun, who is the son of legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, has been in the spotlight recently for professional reasons as well, having been traded from the Mumbai Indians to the Lucknow Super Giants ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season.Arjun and Saaniya had formalised their relationship last August, when they got engaged in an intimate ceremony attended by close friends and family members. The engagement marked a significant milestone for the young couple, who have largely stayed away from public attention despite their prominent backgrounds.WHO IS SAANIYA CHANDOK?Saaniya Chandok hails from a well-known business family in Mumbai. She is the granddaughter of Ravi Ghai, a leading industrialist and the head of the Graviss Group. The conglomerate has a strong presence in the food and hospitality sector and owns popular ice cream brands such as The Brooklyn Creamery and Baskin Robbins in India.Professionally, Saaniya is actively involved in entrepreneurship. As per records from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, she serves as a Designated Partner and Director at Mr. Paws Pet Spa & Store LLP, a Mumbai-based venture focused on pet care services and retail.The Ghai family’s business interests also extend to hospitality, including the management of premium hotel properties such as the InterContinental. Graviss Food Solutions Private Limited reported a revenue of ?624 crore in the FY23–24 financial year, reflecting a robust growth rate of around 20 percent.ARJUN TENDULKAR’S CRICKET CAREERCarving his own identity in cricket, Arjun Tendulkar has steadily built a career as a bowling allrounder in the domestic circuit. He currently represents Goa after beginning his journey with Mumbai.Arjun made his T20 debut for Mumbai during the 2020/21 season against Haryana, having previously featured in age-group cricket and the India Under-19 setup. In the 2022/23 season, he moved to Goa, where he went on to make his First-Class and List A debuts.In red-ball cricket, Arjun has played 22 matches, scoring 620 runs that include one century and two half-centuries. With the ball, he has picked up 48 wickets, highlighted by one five-wicket haul and two four-wicket hauls. In List A cricket, he has appeared in 23 matches for Goa, scoring 155 runs across 15 innings.

MUMBAI: The Congress has suspended all its municipal councillors in Ambernath, along with the block president of the area, after they decided to align with the BJP-led Ambernath Vikas Aghadi to secure power in the civic body.Despite ideological differences, local leaders of the BJP and Congress came together in Ambernath along with other parties to sideline the single-largest party, the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction).

This is not a good thing: CongressVice President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), Ganesh Patil, wrote a letter to the Ambernath Congress block president, Pradeep Patil, communicating the party’s decision.The letter stated, “We have fought elections on Congress symbol and we won 12 seats, but without informing the state leadership or the state office, you have done alliance with BJP and this has come to our knowledge through media sources. This is not a good thing, so as per instructions by the state president, Harshwardhan, you are being suspended from the party.”The suspension underscores growing tensions within the Congress over local-level alliances that contradict the party’s stated ideological position, particularly as civic elections approach in major urban centres across Maharashtra.

Not acceptable: Devendra FadnavisMeanwhile, Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis has conveyed his strong displeasure over such local-level political arrangements and has asked BJP units to end their alliances with the AIMIM in Akot and with the Congress in Ambernath.“Alliance with Congress and AIMIM is not acceptable. It will have to be broken,” he said.Here’s what happenedThe political standoff took a new turn on Tuesday when the BJP and Congress, traditional rivals, joined hands in a rare local-level alliance to keep the Shiv Sena out of power in one of its strongholds, which falls within the parliamentary constituency of MP Shrikant Shinde. In the municipal elections held on December 20, the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena emerged as the single largest party with 27 seats in the 60-member council, falling four short of a majority. The BJP won 14 seats, the Congress secured 12, Ajit Pawar–led Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) won four, and two independents were elected. The third partner in the BJP-Congress combine, named the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi, is the Ajit Pawar faction of the NCP. The Shiv Sena suffered a setback in the municipal president’s election, where its candidate Manisha Walekar lost to BJP’s Tejashree Karanjule Patil.The alliance between political rivals has taken party cadres by surprise, particularly as elections approach in larger cities such as Mumbai and Thane. BJP sources said local leaders had been authorised to take decisions in municipal polls, while a Congress state spokesperson said “no decision has been taken so far”.BJP corporator Abhijit Karanjule Patil has been appointed group leader of the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi, which comprises BJP councillors along with members of the Congress and the Ajit Pawar–led NCP.Speaking to TOI, Patil said the BJP had fought the elections against corruption and intimidation under the Shiv Sena’s long rule in the civic body. “Our objective was to free the administration from fear and corruption and to ensure development in Ambernath. Keeping that in mind, we formed this alliance,” he said.While the BJP secured the post of municipal president, it lacked the numbers to govern independently. Under municipal council rules, the president’s powers are similar to those of a mayor, but decisions and resolutions must be approved by a majority vote in the general body. To bridge this gap, the BJP initiated talks with opposition parties at the local level, culminating in the formation of the Ambernath Vikas Aghadi on Tuesday.According to party leaders, the alliance currently includes 14 BJP corporators, a BJP-backed municipal president, 12 Congress councillors, four from the Ajit Pawar-led NCP, and one independent, taking the coalition’s strength to 32 and crossing the majority mark.The Congress state leadership said “no formal proposal” for an alliance had been received, though the local tie-up had already been announced.The development has drawn sharp criticism from the Shiv Sena, which termed the alliance an “unethical and opportunistic arrangement”. Sena MLA from Ambernath, Balaji Kinikar, said that while the BJP campaigns nationally for a “Congress-free India”, it had strengthened the Congress at the municipal level to retain power. He alleged that talks had been held with BJP leaders, but the party opted to align with Congress instead.Several attempts to contact the Congress’s Ambernath city president Pradeep Patil were unsuccessful. A Congress spokesperson said that in Ambernath, the choices were either to align with the BJP, the Shinde faction, or abstain from voting, adding that no formal proposal for an alliance had been received.

Panaji: The sports ministry and the All India Football Federation (AIFF) turned the tables on top-tier clubs during a joint meeting in the Capital on Tuesday, leaving them with no choice but agree to take part in this edition of the Indian Super League (ISL).Sports minister Mansukh Mandaviya later announced that the ISL will kick off on Feb 14 with all 14 teams taking part.When clubs headed to the Capital at short notice — summoned individually through a phone call late on Monday night by AIFF deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan — they were expecting to hear the proposal, return home, study and then consult owners. Instead, they were told time was running out and they had to say “yes or no” on Tuesday itself.“We had no choice to decide whether the (short-term) proposal makes sense,” said one club official who had to hurriedly call the club owner and inform him of the latest developments.Consistent in their stand that they are taking part in the top league, whatever the format and financial implications, Jamshedpur FC were the first to provide an email confirmation, followed by the likes of Punjab FC, East Bengal, NorthEast United, Mohammedan Sporting and Inter Kashi. Later, Delhi SC Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan Super Giant came on board. Five clubs — Kerala Blasters, Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City, FC Goa and Odisha FC — needed time to speak with their owners and reluctantly agreed.ISL clubs were also taken aback with the change in format. While most were in favour of a single-leg centralised format, AIFF proposed a single leg home and away structure for the current season, estimated to cost ₹24.3 crore. AIFF said a single leg centralised format will cost Rs 38 crore, adding to the cost.The ISL will have a total of 91 matches with all 14 teams playing each other once. Clubs have to pay Rs 1 crore each as franchise fee.As per the constitution, the top league will have principles of promotion and relegation, but AIFF is likely to approach the Supreme Court for a one-year relaxation, given that it will be a truncated league.A similar single leg home-and-away format has been mooted for I-League (11 teams, 55 matches) too. Clubs, though, are likely to be given an option of choosing an additional champions (six teams) and relegation (five teams) structure, after the conclusion of the single-leg league.“Home and away format is beneficial for clubs, as it allows them to reconnect with their fan base, encouraging higher stadium attendance and giving supporters the opportunity to watch their teams compete and perform in their own cities,” AIFF said in its proposal. “Hosting home matches significantly enhances sponsor visibility and activation opportunities at the local level, thereby strengthening club–sponsor engagement. Clubs will also have the opportunity to generate gate revenues, contributing to improved financial sustainability.”In a single-leg home and away Swiss-system tournament format, the home and away games are decided by lots with clubs playing 6-7 games either at home or away.“Some clubs in the north and Mumbai City have problems with their home venues, so we will allot venue-ready teams with seven home games and six away,” said one official. AIFF expects at least eight of the 14 clubs to have their home venues ready in time for the ISL kick off next month.AIFF will now write to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and seek a one-time exemption for its inability to conduct 24 league matches for each team, a mandatory requirement to qualify for continental competitions. FC Goa have already qualified for the AFC Champions League Two playoff, after winning the Super Cup last month. The ISL champion qualifies for the group stages of ACL2, Asian football’s second-tier club competition.

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 is going to start soon, and the buzz around the Mumbai Indians (MI) camp is palpable. Having cemented their legacy as the most consistent franchise in the league’s history, the team enters this season with a squad that perfectly balances international superstardom with raw Indian talent. With the auction dynamics settling, MI management has curated a lineup capable of dominating any condition, ensuring all bases—pace, spin, and explosive batting—are covered.

Defending Champions to focus on retaining the title

Fresh off their triumph in the 2025 season, the Mumbai Indians are not just participants; they are the team to beat. The ‘Defending Champions’ tag brings pressure, but under the seasoned leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, this unit thrives on expectations. The strategy for 2026 is clear: retain the aggressive brand of cricket that won them the trophy while integrating exciting new talents like G Kamalini and Nalla Reddy into the fold. With key overseas pillars like Nat Sciver-Brunt and Hayley Matthews retained, and the return of match-winners like Amelia Kerr and Shabnim Ismail, MI’s focus is singular—bringing the trophy home to Mumbai once again.

Mumbai Indians’ best playing XI for WPL 2026

1. Hayley Matthews

• Role: Opening batter / Off-spin bowler (Overseas)
• Strength: Powerplay dominance and partnership breaking.
• What she brings: Matthews is a proven match-winner who can take the game away in the first six overs. Her ability to deliver four economical overs of spin makes her an invaluable asset to the team balance.

2. G Kamalini

• Role: Wicketkeeper / Opening batter
• Strength: Fearless stroke-play and agility behind the stumps.
• What she brings: The young sensation provides a left-handed option at the top. Her aggressive intent complements Matthews perfectly, allowing MI to maximize the powerplay without being bogged down.

3. Nat Sciver-Brunt

• Role: Batting all-rounder (overseas)
• Strength: Stability, consistency, and big-match temperament.
• What she brings: Arguably the best all-rounder in the world, she anchors the innings and accelerates at will. Her medium pace is crucial for the middle overs, often providing breakthroughs when the team needs them most.

4. Harmanpreet Kaur (c)

• Role: Captain / Middle-order batter
• Strength: Leadership and finishing prowess.
• What she brings: The heart of the team. Harmanpreet brings vast experience and the ability to control the game’s tempo. Her capability to clear the ropes in the death overs remains unmatched.

5. Amelia Kerr

• Role: Leg-spin all-rounder (overseas)
• Strength: Mystery spin and dynamic batting.
• What she brings: Kerr is a luxury player who can bat anywhere in the top 5 and bowl decisive spells. Her googlies are a nightmare for batters, and she acts as a floater who can counter-attack spin in the middle overs.

6. Amanjot Kaur

• Role: Seam-bowling all-rounder
• Strength: Gritty batting and partnership building.
• What she brings: She fills the critical role of the Indian pace-bowling all-rounder. Amanjot is known for her calm head under pressure and can chip in with vital cameos at the backend of the innings.

7. S Sajana

• Role: Finisher / Off-spin bowler
• Strength: First-ball hitting ability and clutch performance.
• What she brings: A designated finisher, Sajana has the power to hit sixes from ball one. Her presence ensures that MI’s run rate doesn’t dip in the final five overs, and she offers a handy spin option if needed.

8. Sanskriti Gupta

• Role: Bowling all-rounder (spin)
• Strength: Flight, guile, and lower-order hitting.
• What she brings: Having featured in the 2025 final, Sanskriti brings confidence and local savvy. Her off-spin adds variety to the attack, and she provides depth to the batting lineup, ensuring the tail doesn’t start too early.

Also READ: Aakash Chopra predicts the winner and Orange Cap holder for WPL 2026 edition

9. Saika Ishaque

• Role: Left-arm orthodox spinner
• Strength: Wicket-taking knack and accuracy.
• What she brings: A consistent performer for MI, Saika is the go-to bowler for breaking partnerships. Her ability to skid the ball and cramp batters for room makes her lethal, especially on turning tracks.

10. Shabnim Ismail

• Role: Fast bowler (overseas)
• Strength: Express pace and new-ball aggression.
• What she brings: Ismail brings the “fire” to the attack. Her raw speed terrifies openers, and she is excellent at picking up early wickets to put the opposition on the back foot immediately.

11. Nalla Reddy

• Role: Right-arm medium pacer
• Strength: Youthful energy and swing.
• What she brings: As a promising pace prospect, Reddy balances the attack by supporting Ismail with the new ball. Her inclusion allows MI to field a balanced pace attack alongside their world-class spinners.

Also READ: WPL 2026: DC’s best playing XI for the Women’s Premier League

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

NEW DELHI: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, accusing him of “surrendering” under “pressure” and contrasted his leadership with that of former prime minister Indira Gandhi.Gandhi’s remarks came a day after US President Donald Trump, speaking at the House GOP Member Retreat, claimed that PM Modi had sought an audience with him. “Prime Minister Modi came to see me, ‘Sir, may I see you please’. Yes,” Trump said.

Trump also referred to India facing steep tariffs, saying New Delhi was “paying a lot of tariffs now” and had “reduced” the purchase of Russian oil “substantially”.Gandhi shared a video message on X with the caption “Fark samjho sirji”.“I know these BJP–RSS people very well now. Put a little pressure on them, give them a little push and they run away in fear,” Gandhi said. “As soon as Trump signalled from there, they picked up the phone and said, ‘What are you doing Modi ji?’ Narendra surrendered and with ‘yes sir’, Narendra Modi ji followed Trump’s signal.”Drawing a comparison with the 1971 war, Gandhi said India had once stood firm despite US pressure. “You might remember a time when the phone call didn’t come — the Seventh Fleet had come. In the 1971 war, the Seventh Fleet came, weapons came, an aircraft carrier came. Indira Gandhi ji said, ‘I will do what I have to do.’ This is the difference,” he said, referring to the United States Seventh Fleet.Trump has imposed tariffs totalling 50% on Indian exports, including a 25% levy linked to India’s procurement of Russian oil.“I have a very good relationship with him. He’s not that happy with me because they’re paying a lot of tariffs now because they’re not doing the oil — but they are, they’ve now reduced it very substantially,” Trump said.The tariffs, imposed in August, have triggered multiple rounds of trade talks and at least four conversations between the two leaders, but have yet to yield a bilateral trade deal.Separately, Trump also said in his remarks that India had flagged delays in the delivery of Apache helicopters, claiming New Delhi has been waiting for the aircraft for five years.

Jacob Bethell (Getty Images)

Jacob Bethell stood tall with a flawless maiden Test century on Wednesday, anchoring England’s reply as the visitors clawed their way back into the contest and edged into a slender 119-run lead, leaving the fifth and final Ashes Test delicately poised. At stumps on Day 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, England were 302 for 8, with the 22-year-old unbeaten on 142 and Matthew Potts yet to open his account.Bethell’s innings proved pivotal after England suffered early blows, losing Zak Crawley cheaply and Joe Root soon after. Showing composure well beyond his years, the left-hander brought up his hundred in style from 162 deliveries, unfazed by the pressure around him.

However, wickets continued to fall at the other end. Just two overs after Bethell reached three figures, Beau Webster struck twice in the space of three balls, dismissing Harry Brook for 42 and removing Will Jacks for a duck. England’s troubles deepened when Jamie Smith was run out for 24 following a disastrous mix-up.Ben Stokes, who had earlier limped off while bowling with what appeared to be a groin issue, came in at No. 7 but survived only five balls before falling to Webster. England, chasing another morale-boosting victory after their win in Melbourne, remain in pursuit despite Australia already securing the Ashes with a 3-1 series lead.Remarkably, Bethell’s century was not only his maiden Test hundred but also his first in red-ball cricket, surpassing his previous best of 96 against New Zealand. Recalled for the Melbourne Test in place of the struggling Ollie Pope, Bethell has strengthened his claim to the No. 3 spot after also contributing a gritty 40 in challenging conditions.Earlier, Australia were dismissed for 567 before lunch, built around Travis Head’s 163 and a commanding 138 from captain Steve Smith, leaving England to erase a daunting first-innings deficit of 183 after being bowled out for 384.England’s chase began shakily as Mitchell Starc struck with a first-over breakthrough, trapping Crawley lbw for one. Ben Duckett, dropped on 38, failed to capitalise and was bowled by Michael Neser for 42. Root endured a torrid stay before falling lbw to Scott Boland for six.Bethell, though, remained immovable, taking England past Australia’s lead shortly after tea with a single off Neser and celebrating his hundred with a crisp boundary through midwicket. Webster’s late strikes swung momentum back Australia’s way, but Bethell’s resolve ensured the contest heads into the final day finely balanced.