Alyssa Healy’s decision to opt out of the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) has caused a significant shake-up for the UP Warriorz, leaving the team with less than two weeks to appoint a new captain. The veteran Australian wicketkeeper-batter had been a key figure in the team for the past three seasons and her withdrawal from the upcoming tournament will be felt deeply within the squad. Healy confirmed her absence from the WPL following the conclusion of the Women’s Ashes series, making it clear that she would not be participating in the next season. As a result, the Warriorz will have to swiftly find a suitable replacement for her leadership role.
Healy’s decision comes after a period of injury woes that have plagued her over the last few months. She was sidelined for a few matches during the Women’s T20 World Cup due to a right-foot injury, and later, a knee injury kept her out of the latter part of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). Additionally, she had to miss the T20I leg of the Women’s Ashes due to the same persistent foot injury. During this time, Healy was seen wearing a moon boot while recovering from the injury, although she managed to remove it before the Melbourne Test. Despite these setbacks, Healy remained positive and focused on her recovery, emphasizing that the downtime would allow her to take better care of her body moving forward.
“Unfortunately for me, I’ve got a couple of months feet up. I’m pretty bummed by that, but at the same time, elated to have a little bit of downtime and try and get my body right. But I’m looking forward to sticking my feet in an ice bucket,” Healy said after Australia’s triumph in the historic Day-Night Test against England. She added that the forced break could be a good opportunity for her to heal properly and refocus on getting back to peak physical condition. The veteran player is hoping that this time off will allow her to prepare herself better for the upcoming ODI World Cup, which is set to be held on Indian soil.
Healy expressed her frustration with the series of injuries that have disrupted her career over the past year and a half. “It’s been a really frustrating probably 18 months for me… you get yourself right, back playing, and something else goes wrong,” she admitted. However, she remains resolute in her commitment to returning to form and is determined to work on her fitness and discipline. Healy mentioned that her primary goal is to ensure she is fully prepared for the ODI World Cup and that she is taking the necessary steps to make sure she is in top condition by then.
With Healy unavailable for the WPL 2025, the UP Warriorz are now in search of a new captain and wicketkeeper. Uma Chetry, a talented wicketkeeper-batter, is the most likely candidate to take over behind the stumps. As for the captaincy, there are several potential contenders within the team. Chamari Athapaththu, the experienced Sri Lankan cricketer, has led her national team in the past and is highly regarded for her leadership skills. Tahlia McGrath, another experienced all-rounder from Australia, and Deepti Sharma, India’s dynamic all-rounder, are also strong candidates to step into the leadership role. The Warriorz will need to make a quick decision as their first match of the WPL 2025 is scheduled against Gujarat Giants on February 16 at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
The departure of Healy leaves a considerable void in the UP Warriorz squad, but it also presents an opportunity for other players to step up and showcase their leadership abilities. It will be fascinating to see who takes on the captaincy and how the team adapts to the changes in leadership and wicketkeeping roles. Despite the challenges, the Warriorz will need to focus on regrouping quickly, as the competition will be fierce, and the squad's resilience will be tested. As Healy continues to recover and focus on her long-term goals, the UP Warriorz will be hoping that their next captain can steer them toward success in the 2025 Women’s Premier League.
