UP Warriorz happy with underdog tag in WPL season 2, says captain Alyssa Healy

The anticipation is palpable as the UP Warriorz, led by the formidable Alyssa Healy, prepare to kick off their campaign in the second season of the Women's Premier League (WPL). Dressed in sleek new attire, the UP Warriorz are poised to take on the Royal Challengers Bangalore in their opening match scheduled for February 24th at the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

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The UP Warriorz boast a formidable lineup, brimming with talent both in the batting and bowling departments towards heading into the WPL tournament. The addition of Sri Lankan powerhouse Chamari Athapaththu adds further depth to their roster, presenting a delightful selection headache for the leadership group.

Reflecting on the team's strength, Alyssa Healy expressed her satisfaction with the abundance of talent at their disposal. "It is really important for our side to have the depth in the batting and bowling department of course, and when we add Chamari to that list, it is going to be a difficult conversation for sure about the playing XI. But these are really good problems to have,"

"But, I think it will be a really dynamic team for us who will take the field throughout the competition because we have so many good players, all of whom are waiting to go out there and show the world what they can do," the skipper added." She added.

Healy, who now also leads the Australian national team, emphasized the importance of fostering a supportive team environment, particularly for young players navigating the pressures of elite cricket. "It's all about trying to enjoy my cricket and also make it enjoyable for everyone on the team, including the Indian players. There is a lot of pressure in the WPL, and overall, it's a new experience for a lot of the young players. It's about helping them relax and helping them believe that they are good enough to be here. A lot of the players enjoyed the tournament last year in this group and this year hopefully it will be no different."

As everyone embrace them the underdog tag, Healy exuded confidence in their ability to upset established franchises in the WPL 2024. "We are happy with the underdog tag, and hopefully we can go out there and knockout some of the big franchises and show them what the UP Warriorz can do." she declared.

On the other hand, head coach Jon Lewis underscored the tournament's role in advancing the growth of women's cricket in India. "I think it is the responsibility of the whole tournament to help grow the game in India. I am a big believer in competition helping development. The competition for slots in the team and the teams will drive up the standards for sure."

With a squad brimming with talent and renewed determination, the UP Warriorz are primed to make waves in the upcoming WPL season. As they embark on their quest for glory, the team's mantra remains clear, 'one game at a time, one victory closer to the title.'

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"We will take things one day at a time and one game at a time. The WPL has some very good squads, and we don't want to think and look too far ahead because it's essential to concentrate on the present. Each member of the squad, and especially the younger ones, have come back with plenty of overall improvement, and I am very happy about that. Now it's just about executing the plans and doing the small things well under pressure," Lewis added.