The UP-based franchise appointed Australian women’s cricket team veteran cricketer Alyssa Healy as its captain for the inaugural edition of the Women’s T20 League. However, everyone expected that the franchise could hand over the responsibility to the Indian star allrounder Deepti Sharma but they had different plans.
The first match of the tournament will be played on March 4 at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai. On the other hand, UP will play its first match against Gujarat on 5th March. The franchise appointed England’s John Lewis as the head coach and made Anju Jain the assistant coach, while Ashley Noffaki will be the bowling coach. Meanwhile, former cricketer and now commentator, Lisa Sthalekar, who was a part of the World Cup-winning team, has been selected by the franchise as a mentor.
We are here to win and be ruthless: Alyssa Healy
Healy talked about the upcoming responsibility and said that she was eagerly waiting for the tournament and UP’s team management has constructed a great squad. The franchise’s owner Rajesh Sharma talked about her and said that Healy’s experience will be very beneficial for the team.
“Women’s T20 League is a tournament we have all been keenly waiting on, and UP have a fantastic squad, waiting to make a splash once things get going,” Healy said in a statement issued by the franchise. “We have a good mix of experience and youth along with the ability and look forward to putting on a show for our fans. We are here to win and be ruthless in our brand of cricket.”
“Alyssa is a giant of the game and has an immense amount of experience at the highest level, and also has the winning habit which we want in our team,” Rajesh Sharma, managing director of Capri Globals, who owns the UP-based franchise, said. “We hope that the UP can make significant strides in this important journey under the leadership of Alyssa Healy, and go on to be a source of joy and inspiration for the women of UP.”
UP squad: Alyssa Healy (C), Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Tahlia McGrath, Shabnim Ismail, Anjali Sarvani, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Parshavi Chopra, Shweta Sehrawat, S Yashasri, Kiran Navgire, Grace Harris, Devika Vaidya, Lauren Bell, Laxmi Yadav, Simran Shaikh.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Congratulations Healy.most dangerous opener.and best WK in world .
Now as a skipper— Ramareddy.s.h. (@RamuRoss98) February 22, 2023
India should promote India
Deepti should be cap— sportzy 04 (@Sportzy04) February 22, 2023
— PouLaMi (@Crictopher17) February 22, 2023
Dil tootke rakh diya..
Koi interest lag nehi Rahi..— Puspali Mukhopadhyay🇮🇳 (@Pushpaliasks) February 22, 2023
Healy is also good.. Let the best be the captain
— keen observer (@nkmec) February 22, 2023
Deepti Sharma Robbed 🤦🤦
— Ƭʜᴇ_𝕯Ɇ⩔ЇⱠ (@sammyahir_07) February 22, 2023
Ha bhaiya india ke deepti banni thi
— rasmi (@BalramM57501605) February 22, 2023
Alyssa Healy is absolutely the correct choice…her experience as captain talks
— Dipanjan Chatterjee (@I_am_DipC) February 22, 2023
To be honest, Deepti isn't really captaincy material.
Alyssa Healy is.
— Ankit Tripathy (@tripathy_ankit) February 22, 2023
