UP Warriorz Execute Auction Masterstroke: Healy, Deepti Released in Strategic Rebuild
NEW DELHI: The Women’s Premier League (WPL) landscape has been dramatically altered by the UP Warriorz franchise, which has confirmed a near-total overhaul of its roster ahead of the Mega Auction on November 27th.
In a bold move that prioritizes maximum auction flexibility, the Warriorz retained only one player: the promising uncapped batter Shweta Sehrawat. This decision sees star names, most notably former captain Alyssa Healy and the highly sought-after Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma, released into the pool.
This strategy ensures UP Warriorz go into the auction with the largest purse—a hefty ₹14.5 Crore—and the full quota of four Right-To-Match (RTM) options. This financial power will allow them to either acquire a new leadership core or strategically buy back their released stars at a market-determined price, maximizing their squad construction options.
Test Match Front: Gill’s Fitness Hangs in Balance
GUWAHATI: India’s cricket establishment awaits anxiously as captain Shubman Gill flies to Guwahati for the second and final Test against South Africa (Nov 22nd). The BCCI has confirmed he is “responding well to treatment” for the neck injury sustained in the first Test, but his participation remains questionable. Nitish Kumar Reddy has been called up as cover. Following the batting unit’s disappointing show in Kolkata, team management faces mounting pressure to include a specialist middle-order batsman to solidify the line-up.
INDIAN BOXING DOMINANCE: 10 ATHLETES SECURE WORLD CUP FINALS BERTHS
GREATER NOIDA: Indian boxing has achieved an extraordinary milestone at the World Boxing Cup Finals 2025, with the host nation sealing a spectacular medal haul. Following the conclusion of the semi-finals, a total of ten Indian boxers have fought their way into the gold medal bouts, scheduled for Thursday and Friday.
The team’s success was spearheaded by World Champion Jaismine Lamboria (57kg), who sailed into the final with a dominant 5:0 unanimous decision. The upset of the day belongs to Preeti Pawar (54kg), whose split-decision victory over three-time World Champion Huang Hsiao-Wen of Chinese Taipei demonstrated grit and tactical maturity.
The formidable list of finalists includes the veteran presence of Nikhat Zareen (51kg), alongside rising stars like Pawan Bartwal (55kg), Arundhati Choudhary (70kg), and Hitesh Gulia (70kg).
Football: Humiliating Loss to Bangladesh in Qualifiers
DHAKA: The Indian Men’s Football team suffered a morale-sapping 0-1 defeat to Bangladesh in their penultimate AFC Asian Cup 2027 Qualifier match. The low-ranked Bangladeshi side secured the victory with an early goal from Shekh Morsalin (12th min). This loss is notable as it marks Bangladesh’s first victory over India on their home soil in 22 years, leaving the Blue Tigers winless at the bottom of the group.
Briefs
BADMINTON: Former World Champion PV Sindhu has concluded her 2025 season prematurely, withdrawing from the Australian Open due to a persistent foot injury.
DOMESTIC CRICKET: The stellar form of UP batter Rinku Singh in the Ranji Trophy has kept him firmly in the national team selection conversation.
