Get ready for a big clash in the Women’s Premier League 2026 as the Gujarat Giants lock horns with UP Warriorz. The action kicks off on January 10 at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Both teams look different this year: they’ve shaken up their squads and brought in new faces, all chasing bigger goals.
The Giants come into this season with a real spark. Last year, they finally cracked the playoffs under Ashleigh Gardner, and that taste of success pushed them to spend big at the auction. Now, their roster looks tougher than ever. Gardner’s pretty clear about it; in Head-to-Head Encounters, both teams have won 3 matches against each other
UP Warriorz really shook things up this season. First, they named Meg Lanning their new captain, then handed the head coach job to Abhishek Nayar. Before the big auction, they only kept one player, so this is basically a brand-new squad. And let’s be honest, Lanning’s seven World Cup titles: that’s a truckload of experience for a team still chasing its first trophy.
Match Details: GG vs UPW
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz, Match 2 |
| Series | Women’s Premier League 2026 |
| Date | January 10, 2026 |
| Time | Afternoon Slot – 3 pm |
| Venue | Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Streaming | JioHotstar |
| Broadcast | Star Sports |
Head-to-Head Record: GG vs UPW
| Statistic | GG-W | UPW-W |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 6 | 6 |
| Wins | 3 | 3 |
Performance in Last 1 Year
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Win% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG-W | 9 | 4 | 5 | 44.44% |
| UPW-W | 8 | 3 | 5 | 37.50% |
Top Performers In The Last Year
Batters:
- Ashleigh Gardner (GG-W): 243 runs at a strike rate of 164.18
- Deepti Sharma (UPW-W): Key all-around performances throughout WPL 2025
Bowlers:
- Priya Mishra (GG-W): Impressive leg-spin bowling with crucial wickets
- Sophie Ecclestone (UPW-W): Economy of 6.40 with consistent breakthroughs
Pitch Report
Here is the pitch report that describes the behavior of the pitch:
| Category | Details & Analysis |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Balanced / Sporting. True bounce and steady pace. |
| Batting Conditions | Excellent. Batters can trust the bounce once they settle in. High-scoring potential. |
| Pace Bowling | Early Assistance. Movement and carry are available with the new ball. |
| Spin Bowling | Middle Overs. Pitch slows down and offers more grip/rip as the game progresses. |
| Average 1st Inning | 165–168 runs. |
| Boundary Sizes | Short to medium. 48 m (shortest) to 66 m (longest). |
| Dew Factor | Minimal. Afternoon starts keep the ball dry, helping bowlers maintain control. |
| Toss Recommendation | Bat First. Lack of dew and scoreboard pressure can favor the team setting the target. |
GG-W vs UPW-W Match 2: Winning & Toss Odds
| Platform | 1xBet | Stake | 4RABET | BetVibe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GG-W Win Odds | 2.17 | 2.10 | 2.12 | 2.20 |
| UP-W Win Odds | 2.00 | 2.00 | 2.00 | 1.70 |
| Toss Odds (GG-W) | 1.90 | 1.87 | 1.85 | 1.92 |
| Toss Odds (UP-W) | 1.90 | 1.93 | 1.95 | 1.88 |
Probable Playing XI
Here are the probable playing 11 of both teams:
Gujarat Giants (GG-W)
Beth Mooney (WK), Danielle Wyatt-Hodge, Yastika Bhatia, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Sophie Devine, Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Renuka Singh Thakur, Titas Sadhu, Tanuja Kanwar
UP Warriorz (UPW-W)
Meg Lanning (C), Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Phoebe Litchfield, Deepti Sharma, Deandra Dottin, Shipra Giri (WK), Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Goud
Team Analysis
Here is some key information about both teams:
Gujarat Giants (GG-W)
The Giants feel like a brand-new team this year. Last season, they made the playoffs, then went all-in at the mega auction to patch up any weak spots. Captain Ashleigh Gardner says this is the strongest squad the franchise has ever had, and you can see why.
Beth Mooney holds things together at the top. She smashed over 500 runs in the WBBL 2025-26 and now brings that same hot streak into the WPL. In the middle overs, Sophie Devine steps in; she’s got the power to clear the ropes and can chip in with some handy medium pace, too.
Their bowling has stepped up a level. Renuka Singh Thakur swings the new ball and keeps batters guessing. Georgia Wareham’s leg-spin gives Gardner another weapon in the middle overs.
And Gardner: she’s still the core of this side. Last season, she racked up 243 runs and grabbed 8 wickets, controlling games with both bat and ball. Honestly, it’s hard to find a more valuable player anywhere in the league.
UP Warriorz (UPW-W)
The Warriorz didn’t just tweak their squad—they tore it down and built it all over again. Before the auction, they held on to just one player: Shweta Sehrawat. After that, they went all in, splashing out to put together a team packed with stars. Now, Meg Lanning steps in as captain. She’s fresh off leading Delhi Capitals to three finals in a row, and she knows how to win. With 952 runs in 27 WPL matches, she’s the third-highest scorer in the league’s history. That kind of experience is gold for a team still hunting for its first trophy.
In the middle order, Deandra Dottin brings her trademark Caribbean firepower. She loves clearing the ropes and can flip a match in just a few balls. She’s handy with the ball too, offering some useful medium pace. And with Shikha Pandey running the seam attack, the Warriorz have covered all their bases. Every department looks strong.
Key Players to Watch
Here are the best players to watch out for in battle:
Best Batter: Meg Lanning (UPW-W)
The Australian legend knows how to handle pressure situations. She has scored consistently in the WPL since its inception and carries incredible experience from seven World Cup wins. Lanning controls the powerplay like few others can. She rotates strike when needed and punishes loose deliveries. Her ability to anchor innings while others attack around her makes her perfect for the captain’s role.
Best Bowler: Sophie Ecclestone (UPW-W)
The left-arm spinner ranks among the best in world cricket. She troubles right-handers with her natural angle and turns the ball away sharply. Ecclestone keeps things tight even when wickets dry up. Her economy rate of 6.40 in WPL shows her control. She picked up 12 wickets last season and will look to improve that tally in 2026.
Match Prediction
This contest looks evenly balanced on paper. The Giants have momentum from their playoff run last season. They also play with confidence under Gardner’s leadership. Their batting depth gives them an edge if early wickets fall.
The Warriorz counter with better spin options and more international experience. Lanning’s captaincy could prove decisive in close moments. However, they need time to gel as a new unit. First games under a new setup often come with teething troubles.
The afternoon timing works in favor of the bowling sides. Less dew means the pitch will stay consistent throughout the game. Whichever team bowls first could gain a small advantage. Expect both captains to think hard about the toss.
Winner Prediction: Gujarat Giants (GG-W)
The Giants have one key advantage: continuity. Many of their players have worked together since last season. Gardner knows exactly what her team can do. The Warriorz look strong but need match time to find their rhythm.
Giants also hold the upper hand in recent meetings. They won the last two games against UP Warriorz in WPL 2025. That includes a six-wicket victory in their most recent clash. Gardner scored a half-century in that game and will back herself to repeat the performance.
Still, cricket rarely follows the script. Lanning has built her reputation on winning tight games. If her top order fires and the spinners find their groove early, the Warriorz can absolutely pull off a win. Either way, fans should expect a competitive battle between two hungry teams.
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Conclusion: Gujarat Giants & UP Warriorz Clash In An Exciting Early WPL 2026!
The GG vs. UPW clash offers a perfect appetizer after the tournament opener. You get two exciting squads, world-class players, and a real sense of unpredictability. Both teams have something to prove this season. The Giants want to go one step further than their playoff run. The Warriorz want to show their rebuild has worked.
This game matters beyond just two points. Early momentum can shape entire campaigns in a short tournament. The winner walks away with confidence, while the loser faces immediate pressure to bounce back. That’s what makes WPL matches so gripping from day one. January 10 should deliver an afternoon of quality women’s cricket with plenty at stake.
