MUMBAI, India – As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season dawns, all eyes are on UP Warriorz’s marquee signing, West Indies powerhouse Deandra Dottin.
For the explosive allrounder, this season represents more than just a new chapter; it’s a full-circle moment of redemption and fresh ambition.
After a controversial and public exit from Gujarat Giants two seasons ago, followed by a year away from the league, Dottin finds a home with UPW, who secured her services in a bidding war with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“I do look at this as a fresh start. It’s a new team, so it is like a new beginning,” Dottin told ESPNcricinfo. “I actually feel warm, welcomed and completely comfortable already.”
Her signing is a massive boost for a Warriorz side looking to rebound from a last-place finish. While her recent form in the WCPL and WBBL saw modest returns, Dottin remains unshaken.
“I try to forget and move on very quickly,” she stated, emphasising a present-focused mindset. “I build my confidence not really off past things but by being in the present.”
What she brings is undisputed game-changing power. Dottin is the all-time leading six-hitter in women’s T20 internationals.
Even in a quieter WPL 2025 season, she cleared the ropes every 15.3 deliveries, a rate that eclipsed stars like Smriti Mandhana and Ellyse Perry.
This stems from a meticulous power-hitting routine involving targeted throwdowns and mental visualisation of bowlers she will face.
“I was happy when UP Warriorz raised the paddle for me,” Dottin said. “I aim to play to the best of my ability, and to hopefully lift the trophy.” She also noted the “hungry” energy of the new faces in the squad.
Her arrival sets the stage for a spicy season opener on Saturday, as UP Warriorz face her former team, the Gujarat Giants. When asked if there will be extra fire in that contest, Dottin offered a characteristically cool reply: “I guess, on that day, we will see.”
CMC
