Despite her brilliant performances in the ODI World Cup, Deepti Sharma has been released by UP Warriorz. Head coach Abhishek Nayar said the decision was part of a tough call under the team's retention policy. Deepti, who was named Player of the Tournament in the recently concluded World Cup, still couldn't secure her place in the squad.
Ahead of the WPL mega auction, the UP-based franchise has retained only young and dynamic Indian player Shweta Sehrawat. Meanwhile, big names like Alyssa Healy, Deepti Sharma, Kiran Navgire, Sophie Ecclestone, Grace Harris, Tahlia McGrath, and Alana King have all been released.
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UP Warriorz made their way to the playoffs in the inaugural season of WPL. This time, they head into the auction with four RTM cards as they look to build a well-rounded competitive team that fits into their long-term vision and championship aspirations.
Speaking about the decision to release a player like Deepti, Nayar said, “We want to reset the squad, increase our auction budget, and build a side that can win the championship. At the same time, we want to keep the option open to bring back some key players through the auction.” He further added, “We need to have as much money in our purse as possible so that we can target not only championship-winning players but also re-sign some of our former players.”
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Most importantly, Deepti played an important role in India's triumph in the World Cup, scoring 215 runs and picking up 22 wickets en route to claiming the Player of the Tournament title. In the final against South Africa, her half-century and five-wicket haul tilted the game in India's favour.
Former India assistant coach Nayar elaborated, saying, “Our thought process is quite simple- we want to go into the auction with a big purse and look to have the right combination. Easier said than done. These calls are never easy to make. Whether we are right or wrong, we stand by our vision. We need to use the purse to get the best team together.”
