Cricket fans, the carnival is officially back! After a high-octane opening night, the second match of the season brings us a clash that has “thriller” written all over it. The Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women encounter is set to ignite the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on Saturday, January 10, 2026. This isn’t just another game; it’s a battle between two teams that have completely revamped their identities during the recent mega auction. With the Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women rivalry currently tied at three wins apiece, this match is the perfect tie-breaker to set the tone for the rest of the tournament.
The Leadership Shift: Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women
One of the biggest talking points heading into the Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women game is the fascinating change in leadership. For the UP Warriorz, the legendary Meg Lanning takes the captaincy reins after her historic stint with Delhi Capitals. Seeing Lanning in purple will be a surreal moment for many, but her tactical genius is exactly what the Warriorz need.
On the flip side, the Giants have shown immense faith in Australian superstar Ashleigh Gardner. As we analyze the Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women leadership battle, Gardner’s aggressive captaincy versus Lanning’s cool-headed strategy becomes the central theme. Gardner, who led the Giants to their first-ever playoff appearance last year, will be hungry to prove that her team can go all the way in 2026.
Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women
| Aspect | Details |
| Match Number | 2nd Match, WPL 2026 |
| Teams | Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women |
| Date | January 10, 2026 (Saturday) |
| Time | 03:30 PM IST |
| Venue | Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Where to Watch | Star Sports & JioHotstar |
Injury Woes and Squad Depth in Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women
As we look deeper into the Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women matchup, team news has played a massive role in the pre-match buzz. Unfortunately for the Giants, star Indian wicketkeeper-batter Yastika Bhatia has been ruled out of the entire tournament due to a long-term knee injury. Since she was injured before the auction, the Giants are not permitted to sign a replacement, leaving a significant void at the top of the order.
This injury adds an unexpected hurdle for the Giants, making the Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women contest even more challenging. Beth Mooney will likely don the gloves, but the pressure on the middle order—consisting of Sophie Devine and Danni Wyatt-Hodge—will be immense. Meanwhile, the UP Warriorz look incredibly balanced with Deandra Dottin returning to the fold alongside the spin wizardry of Sophie Ecclestone.
Key Player Battles in Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women
No Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women preview is complete without looking at the individual duels. Keep an eye on the powerplay; watching Renuka Singh Thakur’s swing bowling against Meg Lanning’s precision will be worth the price of admission alone. Furthermore, the battle of the all-rounders—Ashleigh Gardner vs Deepti Sharma—will likely decide which team controls the middle overs.
Since the Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women match is an afternoon fixture starting at 3:30 PM IST, the heat in Navi Mumbai will test the players’ fitness. The pitch at DY Patil is known for its bounce, which could favor the Giants’ pace attack featuring Titas Sadhu and Kim Garth. However, if the surface starts to grip, the Warriorz’ spin-heavy attack will become a nightmare for the opposition.
Gujarat Giants Women: Predicted XI
Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Ashleigh Gardner, Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwar, Georgia Wareham, Kashvee Gautam, Titas Sadhu, Renuka Singh Thakur.
UP Warriorz Women: Predicted XI
Meg Lanning, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Phoebe Litchfield, Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Asha Sobhana, Kranti Gaud.
Quick Strategy Summary
- Gujarat Giants: Even without Yastika Bhatia, this lineup looks incredibly deep. The inclusion of Danni Wyatt-Hodge and Sophie Devine at the top makes them arguably the most dangerous batting unit in the powerplay.
- UP Warriorz: The “Meg Lanning era” starts with a very balanced look. Their strength lies in that middle-order trio of Litchfield, Dottin, and Deepti, followed by the world-class spin of Ecclestone.
Final Verdict on Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women
The Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women match is historically unpredictable. Both sides have shown they can score big and defend small totals. While the Giants have the “Aussie core” that thrives under pressure, the Warriorz have the X-factor in players like Phoebe Litchfield and Kiran Navgire.
Predicting a winner for Gujarat Giants Women vs Up Warriorz Women is tough, but the UP Warriorz seem to have a slight edge due to their superior spin depth and the arrival of “Captain Cool” Meg Lanning. Regardless of the result, this second match of WPL 2026 is guaranteed to provide the fireworks we’ve all been waiting for.
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