The WPL 2026 season is heading towards the end, with only one league stage match left between Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz on February 1. Meg Lanning, the former Capitals captain, is now with Warriorz, and her campaign has not been that successful this season.
Warriorz’s performance, especially in batting, has been below-average throughout this season and this has been a major concern for them.
The opening pair have failed to give big partnerships. Kiran Navgire, who had a prolific domestic season with the bat, scoring 162 runs, which the highest individual score by a player in a senior women’s T20 trophy, failed to perform her role as an opener. Her batting average in the 2026 WPL season has been 2.67 with the highest score of 10 against Mumbai Indians. Captain Meg Lanning has shown up for the team and scored vital runs averaging at 35.43. Her highest score in this season; 70 runs of 45 balls against Mumbai Indians was an innings filled with confidence and proper shot selection. In the recent match against RCB on January 29, she provided a secure base with 41 runs off 30 balls, forming a partnership of 74 along with Deepti Sharma before the team suffered a middle-order collapse.
The biggest issue for Warriorz this season has been the lack of accountability and responsibility from the batters. The middle-order has failed to perform when needed. Pheobe Litchfield, who was averaging at 40.50 with the bat and possibly the only player who shouldered some responsibility in the middle overs, was ruled out due to an injury. Amy Jones came in as a replacement, and it is unrealistic to expect her to deliver peak performance so late in the tournament.
Harleen Deol, who struggled in the beginning of the tournament, found her rhythm in the middle after scoring 47 against Capitals but was retired out. In the next match, Harleen scored an unbeaten 64 against Mumbai Indians. Ever since, her scores have not been up to the standard that she has set for herself. It was visible in the match against Gujrat Giants, where Harleen scored 3 from 12 balls and was clearly struggling to time the ball.
Deandra Dottin also stitched an unbeaten 93-run partnership with Deepti Sharma, helping the Warriorz reach a score of 143 for 5 against RCB on January 12. It is to be noted that Dottin came in to bat when the team was already five wickets down for 50 runs. This example highlights yet another instance of the middle-order collapse.
Performances have been there but it is the consistency that has been lacking. Lanning has had memorable seasons with the Capitals, but DC had reached the finals under her captaincy because the whole team performed and showed coordination on the field. With Warriorz, Lanning has been playing a lone ranger.
The batters have failed to anchor the innings and have gotten out due to poor shot selection. In the last match against DC on February 1, the main focus should be on strike rotation and playing the middle overs with singles and doubles rather than searching for a boundary in every ball. Although the qualification scenario is difficult for Warriorz, there is still hope.
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