Photo via Hindustan Times

Fielding, fitness the priority for UP women’s team in 2026

Following an impressive 2024 showing featuring an under-19 one-day title and a runner-up finish in the T20 trophy, the Uttar Pradesh women's cricket setup experienced a difficult 2025 across all age brackets and the senior division. To reverse this slump in 2026, the association is executing a demanding overhaul centered on conditioning and fielding discipline.

Selection committee head Priyanka Shaily, who previously represented India A, announced that players must now clear both the Bronco and Yo-Yo evaluations without exception after deficiencies in fitness and ground defense undermined last year's campaigns.

Preparations have already advanced with the conclusion of most player trials and a 40-cricketer conditioning assembly in Lucknow overseen by fitness specialist Laxmi. According to Shaily, the program aims to translate raw ability into sustained match execution through sharper catching, agile running, and throwing accuracy.

The selection process continues this weekend as Kamla Club in Kanpur hosts tryouts for under-15 hopefuls on Saturday and Sunday.