The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 season began with a thrilling, run-filled contest as Gujarat Giants defeated UP Warriorz by 10 runs in an electrifying opening match at the DY Patil Stadium. The encounter delivered everything fans hoped for—explosive batting, tight bowling spells, momentum swings, and standout individual performances—making UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants WPL a perfect curtain-raiser for the new season.
With more than 400 runs scored across both innings, the match set the tone for what promises to be another action-packed edition of the Women’s Premier League. Gujarat Giants posted their highest-ever WPL total of 207/4, and despite a spirited chase led by Phoebe Litchfield, UP Warriorz fell just short, finishing on 197/8 in 20 overs.
Gujarat Giants Make a Winning Start to WPL 2026
Entering the season with renewed confidence and a well-balanced squad, Gujarat Giants could not have asked for a better start. Batting first after UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning opted to field, Gujarat produced a commanding batting display, anchored by captain Ashleigh Gardner’s superb half-century and a crucial supporting knock from Anushka Sharma.
The Giants’ ability to build partnerships in the middle overs and accelerate at the death proved decisive in a match where margins were fine and pressure was constant.
Toss and Team Strategy: UP Warriorz Choose to Bowl First
Winning the toss, UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning decided to bowl first, hoping early movement and disciplined bowling would restrict Gujarat on a batting-friendly surface. The pitch at DY Patil Stadium offered pace and bounce, with short boundaries promising value for shots—a factor that both teams would later exploit.
However, Gujarat’s top and middle order handled the early overs well, gradually shifting the momentum in their favour.
Gujarat Giants Innings: A Record-Setting Total
Steady Start Despite Early Setback
Gujarat’s innings began cautiously, with Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine opening the batting. UP Warriorz struck early when Sophie Ecclestone dismissed Mooney for 13, bowling her in the fifth over to give UP their first breakthrough.
Despite the early wicket, Sophie Devine looked fluent, counterattacking with boundaries off Shikha Pandey and Deepti Sharma. Her aggressive approach ensured Gujarat maintained a healthy run rate during the powerplay.
Gujarat reached 56 runs for two wickets at the end of six overs, setting a solid platform despite losing wickets.
Sophie Devine’s Quickfire Contribution
Devine continued to play positively, striking both pace and spin with authority. She smashed boundaries and a towering six, keeping the scoreboard ticking before being dismissed for 38 runs, caught by Phoebe Litchfield off Shikha Pandey.
Although Devine missed out on a half-century, her innings injected momentum into Gujarat’s innings and set the stage for a dominant middle-overs performance.
Gardner and Anushka Build a Match-Defining Partnership
Captain Ashleigh Gardner Leads from the Front
With two wickets down, Ashleigh Gardner walked in with the responsibility of stabilising the innings. Showing composure and intent, the Gujarat captain rotated the strike efficiently while punishing loose deliveries.
Gardner brought up her half-century in style during the 15th over, smashing Sophie Ecclestone for a six followed by a four. Her fifty was a blend of timing, power, and smart shot selection—an innings befitting a leader.
She eventually scored 65 runs, becoming the backbone of Gujarat’s record total.
Anushka Sharma Impresses with Mature Knock
At the other end, Anushka Sharma delivered a confident and well-paced innings. She supported Gardner perfectly, playing calculated shots and keeping the pressure on UP Warriorz bowlers.
The duo stitched together a 103-run partnership, completely shifting momentum in Gujarat’s favour. Anushka fell for 44 runs, caught off Deandra Dottin’s bowling, but her contribution had already done significant damage.
Late Overs Acceleration Pushes Gujarat Past 200
After Anushka’s dismissal, Gardner continued briefly before being bowled by Sophie Ecclestone, who finished with two wickets. However, Gujarat ensured a strong finish thanks to late hitting from Bharati Fulmali, who struck consecutive sixes in the final over.
Gujarat scored 14 runs in the last over, taking their total to 207/4, their highest-ever score in the Women’s Premier League.
Gujarat Giants Final Scorecard Highlights
- Ashleigh Gardner – 65 runs
- Anushka Sharma – 44 runs
- Sophie Devine – 38 runs
- Total: 207/4 in 20 overs
For UP Warriorz, Sophie Ecclestone was the standout bowler with two wickets, while others struggled to contain the flow of runs.
UP Warriorz Chase: A Promising Start, But Falling Short
Chasing 208 runs, UP Warriorz required a strong start. However, they began cautiously, scoring 46 runs for one wicket in the powerplay. Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield looked composed but the run rate remained slightly below the required pace.
Litchfield, in particular, showed excellent intent and timing, while Lanning focused on anchoring the innings.
Georgia Wareham’s Double Strike Turns the Game
The turning point came in the ninth over when Georgia Wareham struck twice in quick succession. She dismissed Harleen Deol for a duck and removed captain Meg Lanning for 30, breaking a growing partnership and swinging momentum back to Gujarat.
The double strike applied pressure on UP Warriorz, forcing new batters to rebuild while the required run rate climbed steadily.
Phoebe Litchfield Shines with Maiden WPL Fifty
A Star Performance Under Pressure
Despite wickets falling around her, Phoebe Litchfield played a sensational innings. She reached her maiden WPL half-century in just 24 balls, attacking Ashleigh Gardner’s bowling with confidence.
Litchfield mixed elegance with aggression, finding gaps effortlessly and clearing the boundary with ease. Her innings kept UP Warriorz firmly in the contest even as the asking rate rose.
Key Partnerships and Middle-Order Struggles
Litchfield found limited support from the middle order. Deepti Sharma was dismissed for just one run, caught and bowled by Renuka Singh Thakur. Kiran Navgire also fell cheaply, adding to UP’s woes.
While Shweta Sehrawat chipped in with 25 runs, her dismissal—bowled by Rajeshwari Gayakwad—further dented UP’s chase.
Litchfield’s Dismissal Ends UP’s Hopes
The defining moment arrived in the 16th over when Phoebe Litchfield was dismissed for 78, caught by Bharati Fulmali off Sophie Devine’s bowling. Her wicket marked UP Warriorz’s sixth dismissal and effectively ended their realistic hopes of victory.
Despite some late hitting, UP Warriorz could only reach 197/8, falling 10 runs short of the target.
Gujarat Giants Bowling Performance: Team Effort Pays Off
Gujarat’s bowlers delivered under pressure, sharing wickets and maintaining discipline during key phases.
Wicket-Takers for Gujarat Giants
- Renuka Singh Thakur – 2 wickets
- Sophie Devine – 2 wickets
- Georgia Wareham – 2 wickets
Each bowler contributed at crucial moments, ensuring UP never fully took control of the chase.
Final Match Summary: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants WPL
- Match: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants, WPL 2026
- Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai
- Result: Gujarat Giants won by 10 runs
- Gujarat Giants: 207/4 (20 overs)
- UP Warriorz: 197/8 (20 overs)
- Player of the Match: Ashleigh Gardner (65 runs)
Playing XI
Gujarat Giants
Ashleigh Gardner (Captain), Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Georgia Wareham, Anushka Sharma, Bharati Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur
UP Warriorz
Meg Lanning (Captain), Deandra Dottin, Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Goud
What This Result Means for WPL 2026
This victory gives Gujarat Giants early momentum and confidence in the tournament. Their batting depth, leadership from Ashleigh Gardner, and balanced bowling attack make them a strong contender this season.
For UP Warriorz, the match highlighted both promise and areas for improvement. Phoebe Litchfield’s brilliance was a major positive, but the team will need greater consistency from the middle order and tighter bowling at the death.
Conclusion: A Perfect Start to the Season
The UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants WPL clash delivered a gripping start to WPL 2026, showcasing the growing quality and competitiveness of women’s cricket. With record scores, standout performances, and nail-biting moments, the match set a high benchmark for the rest of the season.
As the tournament unfolds, fans can expect more thrilling encounters—and if this opener is any indication, WPL 2026 is set to be bigger and better than ever.
