The UP Warriorz (UPW) franchise made a calculated and strategic move at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 mega auction, focusing heavily on retaining their core players. In the most significant move of their campaign, they decided to use RTM for Deepti Sharma, securing the Indian star all-rounder for a record ₹3.2 crore.
The ‘Right-to-Match’ (RTM) card allows a franchise to match the highest bid made for their former player and retain them. UPW, who entered the auction with the largest purse (₹14.50 crore), utilized this tool effectively to prevent their key asset from slipping away.
Securing the Core
Deepti Sharma attracted aggressive bidding right from the start, with the Delhi Capitals showing keen interest. However, the UP Warriorz management stepped in and used their RTM option to reclaim her, making her one of the highest-paid players in the auction.
This was not their only strategic retention. The franchise also used another RTM card to bring back England spinner Sophie Ecclestone for ₹85 lakh. By securing these two key players, UPW successfully maintained the core strength of their squad.
Auction Strategy and Remaining Purse
Ahead of the mega auction, UP Warriorz had retained only one young player, Shweta Sehrawat, for ₹50 lakh. They released all other players into the auction pool, aiming for a strategic rebuild. With Deepti and Sophie back, the team now has three members, having spent ₹4.05 crore so far.
They continue the auction with a hefty remaining purse of ₹10.45 crore and 15 slots left to fill, including a maximum of six overseas players.
Addressing Past Performance and Future Hopes
The Warriorz’s performance in the last two seasons did not meet expectations, as they failed to qualify for the playoffs after finishing third in the inaugural edition. Under the new guidance of head coach Abhishek Nayar, the ownership aims to build a more robust team. The current squad still has a visible shortage of batters and wicketkeepers, which they will look to address with their remaining budget.
In a related notable event, their former captain, Alyssa Healy, went unsold at her base price of ₹50 lakh.
FAQs on UP Warriorz Use RTM for Deepti Sharma
Q1: What does RTM mean in the WPL auction?
A1: RTM stands for ‘Right-to-Match’. It allows a franchise to match the highest bid for a player who was in their squad the previous season and retain them.
Q2: How much did UP Warriorz pay to retain Deepti Sharma?
A2: UP Warriorz used the RTM card to retain Deepti Sharma for ₹3.2 crore.
Q3: Who else did UP Warriorz retain using RTM?
A3: They also used an RTM card to retain England spinner Sophie Ecclestone for ₹85 lakh.
Conclusion on UP Warriorz Use RTM for Deepti Sharma
The decisive action to use RTM for Deepti Sharma highlights the UP Warriorz’s clear strategy of building their team around a proven Indian superstar. This move ensures leadership and quality in the all-rounder department as they enter the next phase of the auction with significant financial power to build a competitive squad for WPL 2026.
Disclaimer: All auction figures and team strategies discussed are based on official auction proceedings. Team compositions are dynamic and may change.
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