Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women 7th Match WPL 2026 is set to be a blockbuster encounter as both teams hunt for their first win in the season. With Meg Lanning facing her former side, this clash at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai promises drama, high scores, and intense rivalries. In this detailed preview, we’ll dive into everything you need to know about the match, from probable playing XIs to pitch reports and expert predictions.
As a cricket enthusiast running IPL Star, your go-to source for niche IPL and WPL updates, I’m excited to break down this pivotal game. Both Delhi Capitals Women (DCW) and UP Warriorz Women (UPW) are winless after two games each, sitting at the bottom of the points table. A victory here could kickstart their campaign in the Women’s Premier League 2026.
Match Overview – A Crucial Clash for First Points
The Women’s Premier League 2026 has already delivered thrills, but the 7th match between Delhi Capitals Women and UP Warriorz Women stands out. Scheduled for January 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST (2:00 PM GMT), this game is at the iconic Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Umpires Kaushik Gandhi and N Janani will officiate, with Gayathri Venugopalan as the third umpire and GS Lakshmi as referee.
DCW, runners-up in the last three seasons, have stumbled early. They lost by 50 runs to Mumbai Indians and fell four runs short chasing 209 against Gujarat Giants. UPW, meanwhile, came close to chasing 200+ against GG but lost by 10 runs, then collapsed against RCB in a nine-wicket defeat.
This match is more than just points—it’s about momentum. With only a few games in the league phase, another loss could push either team into must-win territory. As per ESPN’s preview, Lanning’s return against her old team adds emotional layers.
Why watch? Expect fireworks from stars like Nandani Sharma, who scripted history with a hat-trick, and Sophie Ecclestone, the spin wizard.
Why This Match Matters in WPL 2026
In a short tournament like WPL 2026, early wins are gold. DCW vs UPW WPL 2026 could define their seasons. DC, under new captain Jemimah Rodrigues, needs their top order to fire. Shafali Verma and Rodrigues have struggled, but overseas guns Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt showed promise in the GG chase.
For UPW, Meg Lanning’s leadership is key, but their all-international bowling has leaked runs at 10.94 economy—the worst in the league. As Sportstar notes, both teams have new captains adapting to roles.
The venue’s high-scoring nature means totals over 180 are likely. Dew will play a role, favoring chasers.
Big Picture – Two Winless Sides Searching for Momentum
Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women 7th Match preview highlights a tale of two underperformers. DC topped league stages previously but now face consistency issues. UPW made playoffs once but rely heavily on overseas stars and Deepti Sharma.
Recent games show flashes: DC’s near-chase of 210, UPW’s fight against GG. But bowling woes unite them—DC at 10.1 economy, UPW worse.
Lanning, four runs from 1000 WPL runs, faces Marizanne Kapp, who’s dismissed her five times since 2020. Exciting!
Full Match Details and Broadcast Information
- Series: Women’s Premier League 2026
- Match Number: 7th Match
- Teams: Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women
- Date: January 14, 2026
- Time: 7:30 PM IST / 2:00 PM GMT
- Venue: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai
- Umpires: Kaushik Gandhi, N Janani
- Third Umpire: Gayathri Venugopalan
- Match Referee: GS Lakshmi
This is a closed-door match, no tickets available. Watch on TV via Star Sports Network or stream on JioCinema/Disney+ Hotstar (free for select plans). Global options include Willow TV in USA, Sky Sports in UK.
For live scores, check Cricbuzz or ESPNcricinfo.
See our WPL 2026 schedule guide.
Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai – Venue Guide
Navi Mumbai’s Dr DY Patil Sports Academy is a 60,000-capacity stadium with Media End and Pavilion End. It’s hosted high-stakes WPL games, known for flat tracks.
(Alt: Dr DY Patil Sports Academy Navi Mumbai cricket match – Venue for Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women 7th Match WPL 2026)
| Venue Stats (WPL) | Details |
|---|---|
| Average 1st Innings Score | 169 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 40% |
| Matches Won Chasing | 60% |
| Highest Total | 211/4 (GG vs DC) |
| Lowest Total | 105/9 |
Short boundaries aid batters, but pace bowlers get early swing under lights.
Pitch Report and Historical Trends at DY Patil in WPL
The pitch is batter-friendly with true bounce. In WPL 2026, 200+ has been breached twice in five games here. Par score: 170-190.
Historical trend: Chasing teams win more due to dew. Every toss winner in WPL since 2025 has bowled first (28/28).
Expect spinners like Ecclestone to grip in middle overs.
Dew Factor Analysis and Toss Impact Prediction
Heavy dew in Navi Mumbai evenings makes second innings bowling tough—the ball skids. Toss at 7:00 PM IST; winner likely bowls first.
Prediction: Dew favors chasers by 20-30 runs. Impact: Massive in close games.
Weather Forecast for January 14, 2026 Evening Match
Clear skies, temperatures 22-28°C, low humidity, no rain. Ideal for cricket.
Delhi Capitals Women – Season So Far and Key Concerns
DCW started WPL 2026 with losses but showed grit. Blown away by MI (50 runs), they nearly chased 209 vs GG, thanks to Lee (96) and Wolvaardt.
Key concern: Top-order inconsistency. Shafali (31.44 avg) and Rodrigues (20 avg) need starts.
Strength: Bowling depth with Nandani Sharma’s 7 wickets in 2 games.
Batting Analysis: Top-Order Struggles and Overseas Power
Shafali Verma: 283 runs in 10 matches, SR 137.37. Needs aggression.
Jemimah Rodrigues: 160 runs, but captaincy pressure shows.
Overseas: Lee and Wolvaardt nearly won vs GG. Kapp adds all-round punch.
| DCW Batting Stats (Recent) | Player | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shafali Verma | 10 | 283 | 31.44 | 137.37 | |
| Jemimah Rodrigues | 10 | 160 | 20 | 134.45 |
Bowling Breakthrough: Nandani Sharma’s Rise
Nandani, 24 from Chandigarh, took 7 wickets @ 8.43 economy, including hat-trick vs GG. “Just bowled at wickets, did not expect a hat-trick,” she said. Kapp: 8 wickets in 10.
Concern: Sneh Rana expensive.
Captaincy and Leadership Under Jemimah Rodrigues
Jemimah, appointed captain, focuses on Indian core. Transition from Lanning era.
Possible changes: Alana King for spin variety.
UP Warriorz Women – Early Season Struggles
UPW close vs GG (lost by 10), then collapsed vs RCB (5/29 in 4 overs).
Bowling leaked 200+ and 145 in 12 overs. Economy 10.94.
Batting: Lanning’s Leadership and Middle-Order Dependency
Lanning: Nearing 1000 WPL runs. Partners experimented with Navgire.
Litchfield: 98 runs top scorer. Harleen Deol needs to step up.
| UPW Batting Stats (Recent) | Player | Matches | Runs | Avg | SR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deepti Sharma | 10 | 168 | 18.67 | 116.66 | |
| Kiran Navgire | 10 | 160 | 16 | 166.66 |
Bowling Woes Despite Star-Studded Attack
Ecclestone: 11 wickets in 10, but others like Dottin (15.80 econ) struggle.
Deepti: 8 wickets. Need early wickets.
Tactical Concerns and Possible Adjustments
Opening tinkering, batting collapses. Might drop underperformers for uncapped talent.
Probable Playing 11 for Both Teams
| Team | Probable XI |
|---|---|
| DCW | Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma |
| UPW | Kiran Navgire, Meg Lanning (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey, Asha Sobhana, Kranti Gaud |
From recent X posts, consistent with games.
Key Players to Watch – Delhi Capitals Women
- Nandani Sharma: 7 wkts/2 matches, hat-trick hero. Pressure performer.
- Lizelle Lee: 96 runs top scorer.
- Marizanne Kapp: All-rounder, 8 wkts.
- Shafali Verma: Explosive opener.
- Jemimah Rodrigues: Captain’s knock needed.
Key Players to Watch – UP Warriorz Women
- Meg Lanning: Vs former team, milestone watch.
(Alt: Meg Lanning batting in WPL – Star for UP Warriorz in Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women 7th Match)
- Sophie Ecclestone: Spin control.
- Deepti Sharma: All-round vital.
- Phoebe Litchfield: 98 runs.
- Harleen Deol: Middle-order key.
Must-Watch Individual Matchups
- Lanning vs Kapp: 26 runs off 39, dismissed 5 times.
- Lee vs Dottin: Dottin dominates in leagues.
DCW vs UPW Head-to-Head Record in WPL
DC leads 4-2 in 6 matches.
| Last 5 Matches | Winner | Margin | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 2025 | UPW | 33 runs | 22-Feb-2025 |
| Feb 2025 | DCW | 7 wkts | 19-Feb-2025 |
| Mar 2024 | UPW | 1 run | 08-Mar-2024 |
| Feb 2024 | DCW | 9 wkts | 26-Feb-2024 |
| Mar 2023 | DCW | 5 wkts | 21-Mar-2023 |
Close contests.
Recent Form and Last Five Matches
DCW: L L L L W
UPW: L L W L L
WPL 2026 Points Table and Standings Analysis
| Rank | Team | P | W | L | Pts | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RCB-W | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1.964 |
| 2 | MI-W | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0.901 |
| 3 | GG-W | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 0.105 |
| 4 | DC-W | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -1.350 |
| 5 | UP-W | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | -2.443 |
Bottom dwellers; NRR crucial.
Season Statistics Comparison – Batting and Bowling
| Stat | DCW | UPW |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 350 (175/match) | 340 (170/match) |
| Wickets Taken | 15 (7.5/match) | 13 (6.5/match) |
| Runs Conceded | 404 (202/match) | 352 (176/match) |
Top: Lee 96 (DCW), Litchfield 98 (UPW). Wickets: Sharma 7 (DCW), Ecclestone 2 (UPW).
Key Stats and Milestones to Watch
- Lanning: 4 runs to 1000 WPL.
- Toss trend: Bowl first.
- Venue: 200+ twice this season.
Tactical Insights and Possible Game-Changers
DC: Exploit UPW bowling with powerplay aggression. UPW: Use Ecclestone in middle, stabilize batting.
Game-changer: Dew or Sharma’s death bowling.
Expert Match Prediction – Who Will Win DCW vs UPW?
Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women 7th Match prediction: DCW slight favorites (60-40) due to Sharma’s form and balanced attack. But some experts pick UPW as favorites.
If UPW win toss and chase, Lanning’s experience could flip it.
Final Thoughts and What to Expect
This Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026 clash is must-watch. High scores, stars shining—tune in!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women WPL 2026
- When is the Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women 7th Match in WPL 2026 scheduled?
The DCW vs UPW WPL 2026 7th match is set for January 14, 2026, at 7:30 PM IST at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai. This crucial encounter features two winless teams desperate for their first points of the season. - What does the DY Patil pitch report indicate for WPL 2026 matches?
The DY Patil pitch report WPL 2026 shows a flat, batting-friendly track with true bounce and short boundaries. Average first-innings score is around 169, with two 200+ totals already this season. Par score is estimated at 170-190, and chasing sides have a strong historical edge. - Who is favoured in the DCW vs UPW match prediction for WPL 2026?
In this Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women 7th Match prediction, Delhi Capitals Women are slight favourites at 60-40. Nandani Sharma’s outstanding bowling form and DCW’s more balanced attack give them the edge, though UP Warriorz could dominate if they chase under heavy dew. - What are the probable playing 11 for DCW vs UPW in WPL 2026?
Probable playing 11 DCW vs UPW:
Delhi Capitals Women: Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandani Sharma.
UP Warriorz Women: Kiran Navgire, Meg Lanning (c), Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey, Asha Sobhana, Kranti Gaud. - What is the head-to-head record between DCW and UPW in WPL history?
In the DCW vs UPW head-to-head WPL record, Delhi Capitals Women lead 4-2 across six matches. Recent games have been closely contested, with UP Warriorz winning the most recent clash by 33 runs in February 2025. - How significant is the dew factor in the DCW vs UPW match at DY Patil?
The dew factor at DY Patil Stadium is massive, making second-innings bowling difficult. Toss winners have chosen to bowl first in 28 straight WPL matches since 2025. Dew can effectively add 20-30 runs to the chasing team’s advantage. - Where do DCW and UPW stand in the WPL 2026 points table?
Both teams are still searching for their first win. Delhi Capitals Women are 4th with NRR -1.350, while UP Warriorz Women sit last with NRR -2.443. Victory in this DCW vs UPW WPL 2026 fixture is vital for playoff aspirations. - Which players are must-watch in the Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Women 7th Match preview?
Key players to watch include Nandani Sharma (7 wickets including a hat-trick), Lizelle Lee (explosive opener), Marizanne Kapp (premier all-rounder), Meg Lanning (nearing 1000 WPL runs), Sophie Ecclestone (world-class spinner), and Deepti Sharma (reliable all-rounder). - Where can fans watch the DCW vs UPW WPL 2026 match live?
The match will be broadcast live on Star Sports Network and streamed on JioCinema/Disney+ Hotstar (free on select plans). Live scores and updates are available on Cricbuzz and ESPNcricinfo. - Why is the Meg Lanning vs Delhi Capitals matchup special in this game?
The Meg Lanning vs Delhi Capitals storyline adds intrigue as the former DC skipper now captains UP Warriorz. She faces familiar foe Marizanne Kapp, who has dismissed her five times since 2020, creating one of the most anticipated individual battles of WPL 2026.