Shweta Sehrawat: Young Aggressor Becomes UP Warriorz’ Crucial X-Factor in WPL 2026

Young wicketkeeper-batter Shweta Sehrawat is emerging as one of the most talked‑about Indian players in the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, after a string of aggressive performances for UP Warriorz and strong endorsements from senior stars.

UP Warriorz retained Sehrawat as their only player ahead of the WPL 2026 auction, signalling the franchise’s long‑term faith in the Delhi all‑rounder and handing her a central role as wicketkeeper and middle‑order aggressor.[7] She featured in the playing XI in their tournament opener against Gujarat Giants at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, taking the gloves and batting in the lower middle order for Meg Lanning’s side.[8]

In that high‑scoring clash, Warriorz fell 10 runs short chasing 208, but Sehrawat’s intent stood out during a vital partnership that almost turned the game.[4][5] Coming in after early wickets, she added a 69‑run stand with Australian batter Phoebe Litchfield, keeping UPW in the hunt with a brisk 25 off 17 balls.[2][4][5][6] Reports highlighted her improved power‑hitting, with the right‑hander clearing the ropes twice in a cameo that underlined her role as a designated aggressor in the line‑up.[3]

Litchfield, who top‑scored with 78 off 40 balls, praised Sehrawat’s approach, calling her a "real aggressor" whose intent from ball one allows more experienced batters like Lanning and Litchfield herself to bat around her.[2] According to Litchfield, the team’s messaging to Sehrawat is to back her shots and not "leave any runs out there," underlining the management’s expectations of her as a high‑impact striker.[2]

While Sehrawat’s wicketkeeping in the opener drew scrutiny after a missed chance and a delayed stumping attempt against Gujarat captain Ashleigh Gardner,[3] her overall growth as a cricketer has been widely acknowledged. Former India opener Shikhar Dhawan, who co‑owns the Delhi franchise South Delhi Superstarz in the Delhi Premier League (DPL), lauded her development as both player and leader.[1] Dhawan noted that Sehrawat showed "remarkable" growth while captaining South Delhi Superstarz to the DPL title in 2025, where she struck a match‑winning 110, her highest score of the competition.[1]

Dhawan also pointed to her trajectory in the WPL itself, where she scored 108 runs in 2024 and 119 in 2025, describing her progress as "incremental improvement" that now positions her to aim for a breakthrough season in 2026.[1] He backed her to carry the "winning mindset" from domestic success into the WPL and expressed hope that she can help UP Warriorz mount a serious title challenge this year.[1]

Sehrawat’s enhanced responsibility in 2026 is also reflected in UPW’s squad construction. The franchise built a new core around marquee signing Meg Lanning and overseas stars such as Phoebe Litchfield, Deandra Dottin and Sophie Ecclestone, but chose to retain only Sehrawat from their previous roster, expecting her to provide both flexibility and finishing power.[7] Pre‑tournament analysis identified her as Warriorz’ leading six‑hitter in domestic cricket, with the team banking on her ability to combine explosiveness with greater consistency.[7]

In the opener against Gujarat Giants, despite UPW’s eventual 197/8 in pursuit of 208, multiple match reports underlined that the Litchfield‑Sehrawat partnership was the phase when the chase looked most under control for Warriorz.[2][4][5][6] After Sehrawat’s dismissal for 25, the side lost wickets in clusters, and Litchfield’s departure in the 16th over proved the turning point as Gujarat closed out a 10‑run win.[4][5][6]

With the WPL 2026 season only just underway, Sehrawat’s combination of domestic leadership success, rapidly improving power‑hitting and the public backing of figures like Dhawan places her firmly among the young Indian players to watch. UP Warriorz will look to her to sustain the attacking intent that nearly pulled off a record chase in their first match, while fine‑tuning her wicketkeeping skills in what is shaping up to be a defining season in her early career.[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]