Apart from buying back the four aforementioned players, UPW pulled off one of the headline moves of the first-ever WPL mega auction by signing former Australia captain Meg Lanning for INR 1.90 crore, and snapped rising Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield and West Indies power-hitter Deandra Dottin.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThis auction has given us exactly the kind of squad we wanted to build. Retaining Deepti, Sophie, Kiran and Kranti ensures continuity in our core, and adding leaders like Meg, dynamic young talents such as Phoebe and Pratika, and experienced match-winners like Harleen, Shikha and Deandra gives us balance across departments.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThese are players who understand pressure, deliver in big moments and reflect the competitive, fearless brand of cricket we want UP Warriorz to stand for,\u201d said Nayar in a franchise statement on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
UPW further strengthened the line-up by roping in India batters Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal, who were team-mates with Kranti in the recent ODI World Cup win. They also added experienced pacer Shikha Pandey, who became the third most expensive buy in the auction, as well as leg-spinner Asha Sobhana and USA pacer Tara Norris.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe are really excited to have some of our players back \u2012 Deepti, Kranti, Kiran and Sophie. It is obviously difficult to see some of the others go to different franchises. We have built some great memories with that group over the years, and they have contributed so much.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
UPW further strengthened the line-up by roping in India batters Harleen Deol and Pratika Rawal, who were team-mates with Kranti in the recent ODI World Cup win. They also added experienced pacer Shikha Pandey, who became the third most expensive buy in the auction, as well as leg-spinner Asha Sobhana and USA pacer Tara Norris.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cMost importantly, we are happy with the Indian players we have added, like Shikha Pandey, Asha Sobhana and other young guns. The set-up looks really good, and we are looking forward to how the season starts,\u201d added Kshemal Waingankar, the COO of UPW. <\/p>\r\n\r\n