Deepti Sharma announced as vice-captain of UP Warriorz

Ace Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma, for whom the Capri Global Holdings Private Limited-owned franchise UP Warriorz broke the bank at the Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, was announced as the vice-captain for the inaugural edition of the tournament on Saturday. Hailing from Agra, Deepti was among the most wanted Indian players at the Auction. The 25-year-old, who is a crucial part of the Indian women’s team set-up, is one of the few players from the country to have turned out in franchise tournaments outside India. Deepti, who has bagged 6 wickets in five games at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup, brings with her a wealth of experience and leadership experience and is set to play a significant role in the leadership group. A superb spinner, a dependable batter and a gun fielder, Deepti was part of Western Storm (Super League), Sydney Thunder (Women’s Big Bash League), Birmingham Phoenix, and London Spirit (both The Hundred) in her stints in franchise cricket outside of India. In the 30 games that Deepti has played in franchise cricket abroad, she has picked 32 wickets, scoring 394 runs as well. In India, during the Women’s T20 Challenge, she has turned out for the Trailblazers and Velocity as well. Deepti, one of those who the Indian captain turns to in the toughest moments, is no stranger to the big occasion in the world of cricket and has played 92 games in T20Is and is the leading wicket-taker for the Indian team, with 102 scalps to her name. While her off-break can cause havoc among the opposition batters, Deepti is as impactful a batter, having scored close to 1,000 runs in T20Is with two half-centuries to her name. Deepti, who made her debut in T20Is in 2016, is one of the senior-most members of the Indian women’s team, who were semi-finalists at the 2023 Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa.