Deepti Sharma, who famously sealed London Spirit’s maiden Hundred title with a straight six in the final at Lord’s last year, has withdrawn from the 2025 season to manage her workload. The Indian allrounder is currently in England for India’s ongoing tour but has had a packed schedule with international fixtures and franchise leagues. With the 50-over World Cup set to take place in India later this year, Deepti has decided to step back from her £36,000 Hundred contract to take a short break.
In her absence, Australian allrounder Charli Knott has been drafted in as her replacement. London Spirit’s squad will look quite different this year. Charlie Dean will stand in as captain for the injured Heather Knight, while Meg Lanning has been replaced by Grace Harris. Additionally, Chris Liddle has come in as the new head coach, taking over from Ashley Noffke.
Deepti’s withdrawal means there are no Indian players in the Hundred this season. The BCCI does not issue No-Objection Certificates for active men’s players to participate in overseas leagues, and the women’s players who have featured in the past either went undrafted this year or opted out due to workload management.
In other changes around the competition, Trent Rockets have confirmed that Ash Gardner will captain them this season. Nat Sciver-Brunt stepped down from the role last month to lighten her schedule after becoming England’s captain. Gardner said it was “an honour” to succeed her.
On the men’s side, David Willey will lead the Trent Rockets this year. He replaces Lewis Gregory, who was released and signed by Manchester Originals. Willey, who has captained short-form sides like Northamptonshire, Yorkshire and Northern Superchargers, was a £200,000 signing at this year’s draft after spending the last two seasons with Welsh Fire.
Teams will add four ‘wildcard’ players each — two men’s and two women’s — next week, based on performances in the T20 Blast. Birmingham Phoenix have already confirmed an injury replacement, bringing in Nottinghamshire’s Freddie McCann to cover for Derbyshire’s Harry Moore, who is sidelined with a back stress fracture.
The 2025 Hundred season will run from August 5 to 31. This edition is being seen as a transitional one before the ECB hands operational responsibility for the eight teams to their host counties and new private investors ahead of the 2026 season.
