WPL 2026 Match 2: Gujarat Giants Women vs UP Warriorz Women – Match Preview

Match Details

• Date: Saturday, January 10, 2026
• Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
• Start Time: 10:00 AM GMT | 03:30 PM IST

Match Overview

The second match of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 promises to be a thrilling encounter as the Gujarat Giants Women take on the UP Warriorz Women at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. This match will kick off the tournament at 3:30 PM IST and will be a crucial test for both teams as they look to set the tone for the season.

The Gujarat Giants, having reached the eliminator stage in the 2025 edition before falling to Mumbai Indians, will be eager to prove their consistency and build momentum early in the tournament. On the other hand, the UP Warriorz, under the captaincy of the experienced Meg Lanning, will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 campaign, where they finished fifth.

Team Form and Key Players

Gujarat Giants Women

• Last 5 Match Record: The Giants have been in good form, winning 3 out of their last 5 matches against the Warriorz.
• Key Players:
  • Ashleigh Gardner – A destructive all-rounder who has scored 243 runs at an average of 30.37 and taken 11 wickets at 18.18.
  • Georgia Wareham – A versatile all-rounder with 19 wickets in 10 games and 277 runs at a strike rate of 147.34.
  • Beth Mooney – The Australian opener, known for her aggressive batting and has scored 549 runs in the last season of WBBL at a strike rate of 136.90.

UP Warriorz Women

• Last 5 Match Record: The Warriorz have lost more often than not in recent head-to-heads, but with a new captaincy and fresh energy, they aim to turn the tide.
• Key Players:
  • Meg Lanning (C) – The Australian captain is in excellent form, having scored 479 runs in the previous season with an average of 53.22.
  • Sophie Ecclestone – One of the most feared spinners in women’s cricket, with 47 wickets in the last two seasons.
  • Deepti Sharma – A match-winner with the ball and a useful lower-order batsman, with 269 runs and 14 wickets in the last 10 games.

Head-to-Head

• In their last five encounters, the Gujarat Giants have the upper hand, having won 3 matches, while the UP Warriorz have won 2. This match could go a long way in determining the momentum of the tournament for both teams.

Pitch and Weather Conditions

• Pitch Report: The pitch at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy is known to be batting-friendly, with a flat surface and good bounce. The pacers may find movement in the early overs, but the spinners could dominate in the middle.
  • Batting Pitch: 80%
  • Bowling Pitch: 20%
• Weather Forecast: The match is expected to take place in clear skies, with humidity at around 46%. Ideal conditions for a high-scoring encounter.

Probable Playing XI

Gujarat Giants Women

1. BL Mooney (wk)
2. Yastika Bhatia
3. BS Fulmali
4. G Wareham
5. A Gardner (C)
6. Kanika Ahuja
7. Anushka Sharma
8. Renuka Singh
9. Titas Sadhu
10. Kashvee Gautam
11. RS Gayakwad

UP Warriorz Women

1. MM Lanning (C & wk)
2. Shweta Sehrawat
3. KP Navgire
4. Phoebe Litchfield (wk)
5. H Deol
6. Pratika Rawal
7. DJS Dottin
8. DB Sharma
9. S Pandey
10. K Goud
11. S Ecclestone

Key Match-ups to Watch

• Meg Lanning vs Kashvee Gautam: The battle between the experienced Australian captain and the wily Gujarat pacer could be pivotal in the early overs.
• Ashleigh Gardner vs Shweta Sehrawat: Two all-rounders with the ability to turn the game in their teams' favor.
• Sophie Ecclestone vs Beth Mooney: The spin-bat duel in the middle overs could define the match’s outcome.

Match Prediction

With the pitch favoring the batters and both teams having quality all-rounders, this match is expected to be a high-scoring thriller. The Gujarat Giants, with their recent form and strong all-round line-up, might edge out the Warriorz in a tight contest. However, Meg Lanning's leadership and Sophie Ecclestone's spin could be the difference for UP Warriorz.

Prediction: Gujarat Giants Women by a narrow margin.

Broadcast Details

• India: Star Sports Network, JioCinema
• Australia: Fox Cricket, Kayo Sports
• USA & Canada: Willow TV, Sling TV
• UK: Sky Sports Cricket
• South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa: SuperSport
• New Zealand: Sky Sports 1

Conclusion

This match marks the beginning of a new era for the Women’s Premier League with two teams looking to make their mark. With Meg Lanning leading the UP Warriorz and the Gujarat Giants boasting a balanced squad, it's a match not to be missed. Cricket fans can expect a high-octane contest that could set the tone for the rest of the tournament.

Stay tuned for live updates, highlights, and more from the WPL 2026.
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