UP Warriorz await COE nod on Pratika's availability for WPL

UP Warriorz are awaiting a final call from the BCCI's Centre of Excellence on the availability of India opener Pratika Rawal for the upcoming season of the Women's Premier League, head coach Abhishek Nayar said on Monday.

The first leg of the fourth edition of the WPL will be staged at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai from January 9 to 17, before the tournament moves to Vadodara for the second leg from January 19 to February 5.

Pratika has been sidelined since suffering an ankle injury during the Women's ODI World Cup last November and did not feature in the remainder of the tournament. With the season drawing closer, her participation remains subject to medical



clearance.

"Pratika, we are still I'm not sure to be honest," Nayar said when asked about the opener's availability. "But I think the NCO, the COE, as they call it now, will take a call on it."

Despite the uncertainty, Nayar underlined Rawal's value to the squad. "Regardless, it's always exciting to have Pratika in the set-up. Any team is only a good team when you have contrasting players, not players who play the same style and brand of cricket," he said.

UP Warriorz head into the new season with a refreshed look after retaining just one player - Shweta Sehrawat - ahead of the WPL auction. The franchise has also made a significant leadership call by appointing former Australia captain Meg Lanning to lead the side.