WPL 2026: Meg Lanning named new captain of UP Warriorz for new season

Australian cricket legend Meg Lanning has been named the new captain of UP Warriorz for the upcoming WPL season. The multi-time World Cup winner, who previously led Delhi Capitals to three finals, was bought by UPW for Rs 1.90 crores.

Australian multi-time World Cup-winning skipper Meg Lanning has been announced as the new captain of the Women's Premier League (WPL) franchise UP Warriorz ahead of the latest season starting from January 9 onwards. Lanning, a three-time WPL finalist with Delhi Capitals (DC) and a legendary figure in international cricket both as a batter and leader, was brought by UPW for Rs 1.90 crores in the WPL auction last year.

In a post on X, UP Warriorz said, "The Blueprint of Success. The Icon of Leadership. Captain MEG #UPWarriorz #UttarDega #TATAWPL #MegLanning." The Blueprint of Success. The Icon of Leadership. Captain 𝐌𝐄𝐆 👑💛#UPWarriorz #UttarDega #TATAWPL #MegLanning pic.twitter.com/hJho7auTc4 — UP Warriorz (@UPWarriorz) January 4, 2026

Lanning's Previous WPL Stint

Delhi Capitals have reached the final in all three seasons under the captaincy of Lanning, a multi-time World Cup-winning captain for Australia, but surprisingly did not win in any season, losing to MI by seven wickets and RCB by eight wickets in one-sided matches and then to MI by eight runs last season in a closely contested match, failing to chase down 150 runs.

A Look at Lanning's Illustrious Career

WPL Batting Prowess

Lanning is the third-highest run-getter in WPL history, with 952 runs in 27 matches and innings at an average of 39.66, a strike rate of over 127 and nine fifties and a best score of 92.

International Dominance and Retirement

With a record 17 international centuries and over 8,300 runs, she is considered one of the finest batters of all time. The Australian great, who won a whopping five ICC Women's T20 World Cup titles and two ICC Women's Cricket World Cup trophies, six of those as captain, announced sudden retirement from international cricket last year at the age of 31 in 2023.

UP Warriorz's Campaign Ahead

UP Warriorz, which finished at the bottom of the points table last season with just three wins in eight matches, will start their campaign against Gujarat Giants from January 10 onwards. (ANI)

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by Asianet Newsable English staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)