WPL: UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants gear up for crucial clash
What's the story
The Women's Premier League (WPL) is heating up as the Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz gear up for a critical match in Lucknow on Monday.
Both teams have had a tough season, winning only two of their five matches. They are currently tied with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at four points.
Meanwhile, the net run-rate sees the Warriorz in third position while the Giants sit at the bottom.
Here's more.
Home game
Warriorz look to leverage home advantage
The Warriorz will play their final three league games at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
They will be hoping to use this home advantage to their benefit.
In their previous match against Mumbai Indians, the Warriorz made major changes to their batting order, with Grace Harris opening with Kiran Navgire and Vrinda Dinesh batting at No. 3.
Although the Warriorz lost, the strategy worked as both Harris and Dinesh scored important runs (45 and 33, respectively).
Vulnerability
Middle overs: A challenge for Warriorz
Despite their strong start in the last match, the Warriorz have struggled to keep the momentum going this season.
They often depend on lower-order hitters like all-rounder Chinelle Henry and Sophie Ecclestone to save them from below-par totals.
The middle overs (7-16) have been especially difficult for them, having lost more wickets in this phase than any other team (24) and also been the slowest (6.72).
Uncertainty
Giants's batting order remains uncertain
Gujarat Giants boast a strong bowling attack, but their top order remains uncertain.
They have experimented with three opening pairs in five matches, with Beth Mooney the only constant.
D. Hemalatha struggled at No. 3 in Vadodara's first three games, was dropped, and then was promoted to open against RCB.
Meanwhile, Harleen Deol started in the middle order, opened alongside Mooney, and later moved to No. 3 in their last match.
Middle order
Giants strengthen middle order
Despite the uncertainty at the top, the Giants have strengthened their middle order with left-handed batter Phoebe Litchfield and star all-rounders Ash Gardner and Deandra Dottin.
Litchfield batted at No. 3 for one game before dropping down to No. 5 against Mumbai Indians, where she scored an unbeaten 30 runs.
The Lucknow surface is known to favor slower bowlers, which may prompt Warriorz to include an extra spinner in Alana King and drop Tahlia McGrath who has been struggling this season.
Player focus
Key players to watch
Having finally found her form, with a brilliant 45 off just 26 balls against Mumbai Indians, Harris will be keen to help Warriorz clinch a win in Lucknow.
Kashvee Gautam has been one of the standout young Indian fast bowlers for the Giants and the tournament as a whole.
With six wickets in five matches, she also has an impressive economy of 5.58.
How she adapts to the Lucknow conditions will be closely watched.
Warriorz
The Warriorz's campaign so far
The Warriorz suffered two early defeats in their 2025 season.
They faced a six-wicket loss against Gujarat in their opener and were dominated by the Delhi Capitals, losing by seven wickets.
They bounced back with two consecutive dominant wins against Delhi (by 33 runs) and RCB (by four runs in the super over).
However, they would look to get back to winning ways after their eight-wicket loss against Mumbai.
Giants
Giants are last on points table
The Giants, as mentioned, sit last on the points table with just two wins and an NRR of -0.450.
They started their campaign with a six-wicket loss against RCB.
They bounced back with a six-wicket win against UP but lost their next game against Mumbai (five-wicket loss).
Meanwhile, they lost to Delhi by six wickets in their fourth match but are riding on the back of a win against RCB (by six wickets)