Abhishek Nayar explains the strategy behind UP Warriorz’ auction and getting back Deepti as well as Ecclestone.
Abhishek Nayar: We wanted Shikha’s experience and Deepti back through RTM.
Using the RTM (right to match) option for Deepti Sharma, whom they had previously released, and acquiring England’s left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone for just INR 85 lakh, UP Warriorz (UPW), who entered the WPL 2026 auction with the leanest squad and thus the largest purse, turned heads.
They wanted Pandey because of her experience, and they always intended to use the RTM for the Indian names, according to their new head coach Abhishek Nayar, who will replace Jon Lewis in the forthcoming season.
“[Shikha] came for the trials. She is an experienced player and we wanted her experience of having played in high-pressure tournaments,” Nayar told ESPNcricinfo after the auction in Delhi on Thursday. “Her numbers in the WPL are the best among Indian pace bowlers in the last three years, be it in the powerplay or death overs.
“We wanted experience in those aspects. Kranti Gaud is a young and exciting player, but like I said we wanted experience.”
Pandey has been participating in T20 franchise leagues all around the world, including the WPL, the Women’s CPL, and the WBBL, since his final Twenty20 International for India in February 2023. She recently played all four games for Trinbago Knight Riders in the WCPL and finished as their top wicket-taker with five scalps and an economy rate of 6.73, despite the fact that she does not currently have a WBBL contract. She shared third place overall on the list for wickets taken.
In addition to Asha Sobhana, Georgia Wareham, and all-rounder Chloe Tryon, Deepti and Ecclestone will spearhead their spin onslaught. Many were surprised that Ecclestone received a top bid of just INR 85 lakh, despite being the No. 1 ODI bowler and No. 4 T20I bowler in the ICC rankings. In contrast, UPW spent INR 3.2 crore on Deepti, Mumbai Indians spent INR 3 crore on Amelia Kerr, Asha fetched INR 1.1 crore, and Georgia Wareham INR 1 crore (from RCB).
“I was very surprised, everyone was surprised,” Nayar said of Ecclestone’s price. “I thought she would go for something like 1.5 crore. But we got her for a great deal at just 85 lakh. But that’s how the auction works – sometimes you pay less, sometimes more. So I’ve very happy overall.”