The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 kicked off with fireworks, and the second match between Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz on January 10, 2026, at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai delivered one of the most entertaining contests in the tournament’s history. In a high-scoring thriller, Gujarat Giants posted a mammoth 207/4 before restricting UP Warriorz to 197/8, clinching a hard-fought 10-run victory. A record-breaking 21 sixes flew into the stands, making this Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026 clash an instant classic for cricket fans.
This match had everything – explosive batting, dramatic collapses, late cameos, and all-round brilliance. Gujarat Giants broke their hoodoo of opening-match losses and secured their first-ever win at DY Patil Stadium, while UP Warriorz fell short despite a valiant fightback. Georgia Wareham’s all-round heroics earned her the Player of the Match award, perfectly capping off a night where power-hitting dominated.
If you’re searching for the full WPL 2026 match recap or Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz highlights, this detailed analysis covers every key moment, standout performances, tactical battles, and the records shattered in this epic encounter.
Match Overview and Final Result
Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner led from the front with a blistering 65, while debutant Anushka Sharma contributed a composed 44 in a crucial partnership. Late fireworks from Georgia Wareham (27* off 10) and Bharti Fulmali pushed the total to 207/4 – the highest score at DY Patil in WPL history at that point.
In reply, Phoebe Litchfield’s aggressive 78 off 40 balls kept UP Warriorz in the hunt, supported by useful contributions from Meg Lanning (30) and Shweta Sehrawat (25). However, disciplined bowling from Wareham (2/30) and Renuka Singh (2/25) triggered collapses at key moments, ensuring Gujarat Giants started their campaign with two valuable points.
Result: Gujarat Giants won by 10 runs
Player of the Match: Georgia Wareham
Total runs scored in the match: 404 (second-highest aggregate in WPL history)
Sixes hit: 21 (new WPL record and most in any women’s T20 match)
Pre-Match Context: Team Form, Squad Changes, and Head-to-Head
Heading into this Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026 encounter, both teams carried momentum and fresh leadership into the new season.
Gujarat Giants had endured tough opening games in previous editions, often starting slowly. Under new captain Ashleigh Gardner, they aimed to break that trend. The addition of young talents like Anushka Sharma and a balanced bowling attack featuring Renuka Singh, Georgia Wareham, and Sophie Devine gave them depth.
UP Warriorz, led by new skipper Meg Lanning – one of the most successful captains in women’s cricket – looked to build on their experienced core. With power-hitters like Phoebe Litchfield, Deandra Dottin, and world-class spinner Sophie Ecclestone, they were favorites in many previews.
Head-to-Head (before this match): Tied at 3-3 across previous WPL seasons.
The venue, DY Patil Stadium, is known for short boundaries and high-scoring games, favoring aggressive batting – a factor that played out dramatically.
Key Players to Watch:
- Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner (all-round captaincy), Sophie Devine (power-hitting), Georgia Wareham (leg-spin and finishing).
- UP Warriorz: Phoebe Litchfield (dynamic opener), Sophie Ecclestone (wicket-taking spinner), Meg Lanning (experience at the top).
Toss, Playing XIs, and Venue Details
UP Warriorz won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit any early swing under lights and chase under dew.
Gujarat Giants Playing XI:
- Beth Mooney (wk)
- Sophie Devine
- Ashleigh Gardner (c)
- Anushka Sharma
- Bharti Fulmali
- Georgia Wareham
- Kanika Ahuja
- Kashvee Gautam
- Tanuja Kanwar
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad
- Renuka Singh
UP Warriorz Playing XI:
- Kiran Navgire
- Meg Lanning (c)
- Phoebe Litchfield
- Harleen Deol
- Deepti Sharma
- Shweta Sehrawat (wk)
- Deandra Dottin
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Shikha Pandey
- Asha Sobhana
- Kranti Gaud (approx based on reports)
The DY Patil pitch offered good bounce, with short square boundaries inviting sixes – setting the stage for the carnage that followed.
Gujarat Giants Innings: Building a Mammoth 207/4
Gujarat Giants delivered a commanding batting performance, blending aggression in the powerplay with smart acceleration in the middle and death overs.
Explosive Powerplay (56/2)
Sophie Devine set the tone early, smashing boundaries and sixes with ease. She targeted Deepti Sharma in the fourth over, but UP Warriorz struck back. Sophie Ecclestone’s arm-ball trapped Beth Mooney lbw for 13, and Shikha Pandey had Devine caught at deep midwicket for a quickfire 38 off 20 (5 fours, 2 sixes).
At 56/2 after six overs, Gujarat Giants needed a partnership – and captain Gardner delivered.
Gardner-Anushka Partnership Takes Control (103-Run Stand)
Ashleigh Gardner and debutant Anushka Sharma rebuilt brilliantly. Gardner attacked the spinners, lofting Ecclestone inside-out and clearing the ropes repeatedly. She raced to a 30-ball fifty, her sixth in WPL.
Anushka, on debut, played assured strokes, rotating strike and finding boundaries against spin. Their 103-run third-wicket stand came off just 63 balls, shifting momentum firmly to Gujarat Giants.
Late Fireworks: Wareham and Fulmali Unleash
After Anushka fell for 44, Georgia Wareham walked in and changed the game. Facing Deandra Dottin in the 19th over, she smashed three consecutive sixes, turning a good total into a daunting one. Bharti Fulmali joined the party in the final over off Deepti Sharma, hitting two sixes to push the score past 200.
Wareham remained unbeaten on 27 off 10 balls, providing the perfect finishing kick.
Gujarat Giants Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beth Mooney (wk) | 13 | 12 | 1 | 0 | lbw b Ecclestone |
| Sophie Devine | 38 | 20 | 5 | 2 | c Pandey b Navgire |
| Ashleigh Gardner (c) | 65 | 41 | ? | 3 | c ? b ? |
| Anushka Sharma | 44 | ? | ? | ? | c ? b Ecclestone |
| Georgia Wareham | 27* | 10 | 0 | 3 | not out |
| Bharti Fulmali | 14* | ? | ? | 2 | not out |
Key Partnerships
| Wicket | Runs | Batters |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 40 | Mooney-Devine |
| 2nd | 16 | Devine-Gardner |
| 3rd | 103 | Gardner-Anushka Sharma |
| 4th | ? | Anushka-Wareham/Fulmali |
UP Warriorz Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sophie Ecclestone | 4 | 32 | 2 | 8.00 |
| Shikha Pandey | ? | 29 | 1 | ? |
| Deandra Dottin | ? | 47 | 1 | ? |
| Others | – | – | – | – |
These WPL 2026 highlights from GG innings showcased fearless batting on a batsman-friendly pitch.
For more stats ESPNcricinfo.
UP Warriorz Chase: Litchfield’s Heroics Not Enough (197/8)
Chasing 208, UP Warriorz needed a strong start – but Gujarat Giants’ bowlers kept striking at crucial intervals.
Cautious Powerplay and Early Blow
Renuka Singh struck immediately, bowling Kiran Navgire for 1 in the first over. Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield steadied with careful play, reaching around 40/1 after the powerplay.
Wareham’s Double Strike Triggers Collapse (73/1 to 74/4)
The game turned in the middle overs. Georgia Wareham dismissed Lanning lbw, then trapped Harleen Deol and Deepti Sharma in quick succession. UP Warriorz slumped from a promising position to 74/4 – a collapse of three wickets in four balls.
Litchfield-Sehrawat Fightback (69-Run Stand)
Phoebe Litchfield shifted gears spectacularly. She brought up her fifty off just 24 balls with sweeps, paddles, and powerful drives. Shweta Sehrawat complemented her with quick running and two big sixes off Gardner.
Their 69-run fifth-wicket partnership revived hopes, but Rajeshwari Gayakwad bowled Sehrawat for 25, breaking the stand.
Death Overs Drama: Wickets Tumble, Cameo in Vain
Litchfield fell for a magnificent 78, caught after mis-timing a big shot. Deandra Dottin (12) and Sophie Ecclestone (11) couldn’t accelerate enough. Asha Sobhana’s unbeaten 27 off 10 balls, including big hits in the final over, reduced the margin but couldn’t seal victory.
UP Warriorz Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s | Dismissal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kiran Navgire | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | b Renuka Singh |
| Meg Lanning (c) | 30 | 27 | ? | ? | lbw b Wareham |
| Phoebe Litchfield | 78 | 40 | ? | ? | c ? b ? |
| Harleen Deol | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | c&b Wareham |
| Deepti Sharma | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | c ? b ? |
| Shweta Sehrawat (wk) | 25 | 17 | ? | 2 | b Gayakwad |
| Deandra Dottin | 12 | 9 | ? | ? | c Gardner b ? |
| Sophie Ecclestone | 11 | 8 | ? | ? | c ? b ? |
| Asha Sobhana | 27* | 10 | ? | ? | not out |
| Shikha Pandey | 1* | 1 | 0 | 0 | not out |
Fall of Wickets: 3/1, 73/2, 73/3, 74/4, 143/5, etc.
Gujarat Giants Bowling
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets | Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Renuka Singh | 4 | 25 | 2 | 6.25 |
| Georgia Wareham | 4 | 30 | 2 | 7.50 |
| Sophie Devine | 4 | 55 | 2 | 13.75 |
| Ashleigh Gardner | 3 | 37 | 1 | 12.33 |
| Rajeshwari Gayakwad | 1 | 7 | 1 | 7.00 |
Standout Player Performances
Georgia Wareham (Player of the Match): The leg-spinner’s all-round display was decisive. Her quickfire 27* turned 190 into 207, and her two key wickets triggered UP Warriorz’s collapse. Her composure under pressure made her the deserved POTM.
Ashleigh Gardner: As captain, she led with bat (65) and ball (1 wicket), anchoring the innings and making smart field changes.
Phoebe Litchfield: Her 78 was a masterclass in aggressive batting, but lack of support cost UP Warriorz.
Anushka Sharma: Impressive debut with 44, handling spin maturely.
Stats Highlights and Records Broken
This match set new benchmarks:
Records Table
| Record | Details | Previous Record |
|---|---|---|
| Most sixes in a women’s T20 | 21 | 19 (multiple) |
| Most sixes by one team (UPW) | 11 (joint-most in innings) | – |
| Highest WPL aggregate | 404 runs | Previous high |
| GG’s highest total | 207/4 | – |
| First opening win for GG | Broke historical losing streak | – |
| First GG win at DY Patil | After three previous losses | – |
Tactical Insights: What Won and Lost the Match
Gujarat Giants won through superior death bowling and fielding. Wareham and Renuka varied pace effectively, while UP Warriorz leaked runs in the death (55 off Devine alone).
UP Warriorz lost due to the middle-overs collapse and inability to rotate strike early. Their bowlers, except Ecclestone, were expensive on a flat pitch.
Updated WPL 2026 Points Table Impact
Gujarat Giants jumped to the top with this win, collecting 2 points and a healthy net run rate.
WPL 2026 Points Table (After Match 2)
| Team | Played | Won | Lost | Points | NRR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Giants Women | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.500 |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | +0.150 |
| Mumbai Indians Women | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – |
| Delhi Capitals Women | 0 | – | – | – | – |
| UP Warriorz Women | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | -0.500 |
(Note: Positions early; more matches to follow.)
Conclusion: Giants Start Strong, Warriorz Left Searching for Answers
What a way for Gujarat Giants to begin WPL 2026! This thrilling 10-run win not only gave them crucial points but also boosted confidence under Ashleigh Gardner’s leadership. For UP Warriorz, Phoebe Litchfield’s knock showed their potential, but they need better support and bowling plans moving forward.
This Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026 match will be remembered for its record sixes and non-stop entertainment. As the tournament progresses, both teams have plenty to build on.
What did you think of the match? Who was your standout player? Drop your thoughts in the comments below, share this recap with fellow cricket fans, and stay tuned to IPL Star for more in-depth WPL 2026 coverage!
FAQs: Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026
- Who won the Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026 match? Gujarat Giants won by 10 runs in a thrilling high-scoring encounter on January 10, 2026, at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. GG posted 207/4 and restricted UP Warriorz to 197/8.
- What was the final score in Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz 2nd Match WPL 2026? Gujarat Giants scored 207/4, powered by Ashleigh Gardner’s 65 and late fireworks from Georgia Wareham. UP Warriorz finished at 197/8, with Phoebe Litchfield top-scoring with 78.
- Who was Player of the Match in Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026? Georgia Wareham was named Player of the Match for her all-round brilliance – an unbeaten 27 off 10 balls and crucial figures of 2/30 that triggered UP Warriorz’s collapse.
- How many sixes were hit in the Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026 match? A record-breaking 21 sixes were hit, the most ever in a women’s T20 match. UP Warriorz alone struck 11 sixes, jointly the most by one team in a WPL innings.
- What records were broken in the WPL 2026 Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz match? The match produced 404 total runs (second-highest WPL aggregate), 21 sixes (new WPL record), and marked Gujarat Giants’ first opening-match win and first victory at DY Patil Stadium.
- Who top-scored for Gujarat Giants in their WPL 2026 match against UP Warriorz? Captain Ashleigh Gardner led with 65 off 41 balls, forming a vital 103-run partnership with debutant Anushka Sharma (44).
- Why did UP Warriorz lose the chase in Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026? Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026 Despite Phoebe Litchfield’s aggressive 78, a middle-overs collapse (from 73/1 to 74/4) caused by Georgia Wareham’s double strike proved decisive.
- What is the updated WPL 2026 points table after Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz? Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026 Gujarat Giants topped the table with 2 points and a strong NRR after their 10-run win, while UP Warriorz sat at the bottom with 0 points.
- Where was the Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz 2nd Match WPL 2026 played? Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026 The match took place at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai, known for short boundaries that contributed to the high-scoring thriller.
- What were the key highlights from Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026? Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz WPL 2026 Standout moments included Devine’s powerplay blitz, Gardner-Anushka’s century stand, Wareham’s three consecutive sixes, Litchfield’s 24-ball fifty, and a record six-hitting extravaganza.
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