Gujarat Giants Women started the WPL 2026 with a strong victory by 10 runs against UP Warriorz Women in the second game of the tournament on Saturday afternoon (January 10).

After UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning chose to field first, Gujarat Giants set their record total of 207/4 in 20 overs. In reply, UP Warriorz scored 197/8 in 20 overs, as they lost their tournament opener by 10 runs. 

Skipper Ashleigh Gardner scored crucial half-century before late cameos

Captain Ashleigh Gardner scored 65 off 41 balls with six fours and three sixes, while she had a 103-run partnership with Anushka Sharma for the third wicket. Anushka scored 44 off 30 balls with seven fours. Also, Georgia Wareham (27 not out off 10 balls with one four and three sixes) and Bharti Fulmali (14 not out off seven balls with two sixes) scored some useful cameos, as the Giants added 34 runs in the final two overs.

Among the UP Warriorz bowlers, Sophie Ecclestone was the standout bowler with the bowling figures of 4-0-32-2.

See Also: Gujarat Giants set their record total in their first WPL 2026 match against UP Warriorz Women

UP Warriorz couldn't move on after Phoebe Litchfield's dismissal

In reply, UP Warriorz had a sudden mini-collapse after a 70-run partnership for the second wicket between captain Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield. While Lanning was out for 30 runs from 27 balls with five fours, UP Warriorz were quickly down from 73/1 to 74/4 in just five balls. During this period, they lost Lanning (30), Harleen Deol (0), and Deepti Sharma (2). 

Phoebe Litchfield and Shweta Sehrawat had a useful partnership to handle that shocking collapse, as they built a 69-run partnership for the fifth wicket. While Shweta scored 25 off 17 balls with one four and three sixes, Phoebe continued her important innings.

Phoebe completed 50 runs in 24 balls, as she continued her brilliant knock by scoring 78 off 40 balls with eight fours and five sixes. Since her dismissal in the 16th over, UP Warriorz slipped from the game. Although Asha Sobhana tried hard with her cameo knock of 27 not out in 10 balls with three fours and two sixes, including hitting one six and two fours in the last three balls of the innings, her performance were too late for the team.

Among Gujarat Giants bowlers, Renuka Singh (2/25), Georgia Wareham (2/30), and Sophie Devine (2/55) picked up two wickets each. 

Gujarat Giants slammed their record total in the Women's Premier League history in their first game of the WPL 2026. 

On Saturday afternoon (January 10), Gujarat Giants started the WPL 2026 with the match against UP Warriorz Women at DY Patil Stadium. At the end of 20 overs, the Giants scored 207/4. It was their highest total ever, as their previous record was 201/5 and 201/7, both against RCB Women in 2025 and 2023, respectively. Meanwhile, the Giants' 207/4 was the seventh-highest total in WPL history. 

Gujarat Giants' top totals in WPL history

• 207/4 vs UP Warriorz Women (January 10, 2026))
• 201/5 vs RCB Women (February 14, 2025)
• 201/7 vs RCB Women (March 8, 2023)
• 199/5 vs RCB Women (March 6, 2024)
• 190/7 vs MI Women (March 9, 2024)

See Also: Star RCB player ruled out with injury from WPL 2026

Captain Ashleigh Gardner played a strong innings before fiery cameos

Giants openers Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine had a 41-run partnership inside the powerplay. While Mooney scored 13 runs, Devine scored 38 off 20 balls with five fours and two sixes. 

From 55/2, the Giants had a strong third-wicket partnership between Anushka Sharma and captain Ashleigh Gardner, who added a 103-run partnership in 10.3 overs. While Anushka scored 44 off 30 balls with seven fours, Ashleigh scored 65 off 41 balls with six fours and three sixes. 

Also, Georgia Wareham had an outstanding cameo of 27 not out in just 10 balls with one four and three sixes, while Bharti Fulmali scored 14 not out off seven balls with two sixes. In the last two overs, the Giants scored a total of 34 runs. 

Among the UP Warriorz bowlers, Sophie Ecclestone got two wickets, as she had the bowling figures of 4-0-32-2. Also, Shikha Pandey (1/29) and Deandra Dottin (1/47) got one wicket each, while Deepti Sharma remained wicketless with the bowling figures of 3-0-32-0.  

GGW vs UPW Match Preview

The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 will feature a highly anticipated match between the Gujarat Giants Women and the UP Warriorz Women on the February 16, 2025, at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, beginning at 7:30 PM IST. This is the third match of the season, following each team's first two games. The Gujarat Giants Women, headed by new skipper Ashleigh Gardner, will look to improve on their updated squad, while the UP Warriorz Women, with a strong batting lineup, hope to secure a crucial victory.

GGW vs UPW Match Details 

Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz – 3rd Match, WPL-2025

Venue: Kotambi Cricket Stadium, Vadodara

Date & Time: 16th February 2025 at 07:30 PM IST

Live Streaming: Disney+Hotstar

GGW vs UPW Venue Stats

GGW vs UPW Pitch Report

There is little known about this pitch. Although it appears to be a high-scoring venue, the most recent T20 game here was extremely low-scoring. We expect a good batting wicket this time.

GGW vs UPW Weather Report

It is expected to be clear and sunny in Vadodara, with a high of 33 degrees Celsius. The weather would also be clear around match time in the evening.  

GGW vs UPW Last Five Matches

GGW vs UPW Head-to-Head Stats

Injury News

No Injury. Will be added when there is an update.

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GGW vs UPW Probable Playing XIs:

UP Warriorz Probable Playing XIs

Gujarat Giants Probable Playing XIs

Laura Wolvaardt, Beth Mooney(w), Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner(c), Deandra Dottin, Harleen Deol, Simran Shaikh, Tanuja Kanwar, Sayali Satghare, Priya Mishra, Kashvee Gautam

Topmost Picks for GGW vs UPW Dream11 Prediction:

Top Picks – UP Warriorz

• Deepti Sharma – She maintained a unique average of 98.33 and amassed a total of 295 runs in 8 innings in the previous season.
• Sophie Ecclestone –  She took the highest number of wickets, 11 wickets in 8 matches for the team, and has a stunning strike rate as a batter.

Top Picks – Gujarat Giants

• Beth Mooney – She piled on the highest runs (285) for the team in the previous season with a strike rate of 141.08.
• Tanuja Kanwar –  She took 8 wickets in 8 innings in the previous season, with an economy rate of 5.75 and best bowling figures of 3/22.

Suggested Playing XI N0.1 for GGW vs UPW Dream11 Team:

Beth Mooney, Laura Wolvaardt, Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner(C), Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma(VC), Chamari Athapaththu, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Ecclestone, Tanuja Kanwar

Suggested Playing XI N0.2 for GGW vs UPW Dream11 Team:

Beth Mooney, Laura Wolvaardt, Grace Harris, Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner, Deandra Dottin(VC), Deepti Sharma, Chamari Athapaththu(C), Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Ecclestone, Tanuja Kanwar

Captain and Vice-Captain Options:

Captain – Ashleigh Gardner, Chamari Athapaththu

Vice-captain – Deepti Sharma, Deandra Dottin

Wicketkeeper – Beth Mooney

GGW vs UPW Probable Winners:

The WPL 2025 match between the Gujarat Giants Women and the UP Warriorz Women is expected to be a close contest. Given Deepti Sharma's outstanding batting performance and Sophie Ecclestone's dual threat as a versatile all-rounder, UP Warriorz Women have a little advantage. However, the Gujarat Giants Women, with Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney's compatible performances, will be formidable. The match's outcome will most likely be determined by the performance of key players and the teams' ability to execute their strategies. The UP Warriorz Women are barely favored to win. Considering the team combination, UP Warriorz is expected to win this match.