WPL 2026 GG vs UP - Match 02 - Gujarat Giants Clinch 10-Run Win in Run-Fest
Gujarat Giants finally broke their opening-match jinx in the Women’s Premier League as they clinched a thrilling 10-run win over UP Warriorz in Match 2 of WPL 2026 at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. In a contest that produced a staggering 404 runs, Ashleigh Gardner’s commanding fifty and late fireworks from Georgia Wareham powered GG to 207, before disciplined bowling and sharp fielding helped them hold off a spirited chase led by Phoebe Litchfield.
Match Summary
Gujarat Giants Women vs UP Warriorz Women – Match 02
Women’s Premier League 2026 • Navi Mumbai
A flat DY Patil surface set the stage for a run-fest as Gujarat Giants posted their highest-ever WPL total of 207/4 after UP Warriorz opted to field. The Giants batted in phases, accelerating dramatically after the halfway mark through Gardner and Wareham. In reply, UP Warriorz never gave up the chase, riding on a sensational knock from Phoebe Litchfield, but kept losing wickets at crucial moments. Despite a late surge, the Warriorz fell short at 197/8, handing Gujarat Giants their first-ever WPL win at this venue.
Playing XI
UP Warriorz Women
Meg Lanning (c), Kiran Navgire, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Deandra Dottin, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Asha Sobhana, Sophie Ecclestone, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud
Gujarat Giants Women
Sophie Devine, Beth Mooney (wk), Ashleigh Gardner (c), Anushka Sharma, Kanika Ahuja, Bharti Fulmali, Georgia Wareham, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwar, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Renuka Singh Thakur
Inning-wise Breakdown
First Innings – GG Batting - Gardner Unleashed as Giants Cross 200
Gujarat Giants began with intent as Sophie Devine smashed a rapid 38 off 20 balls, exploiting the powerplay before UP struck back with quick wickets. Beth Mooney’s stay was brief, but debutant Anushka Sharma impressed with a confident 44, stitching a vital stand with Ashleigh Gardner. Once set, Gardner shifted gears dramatically, scoring 43 runs in her last 21 balls to finish with a commanding 65. Late cameos from Georgia Wareham (27 off 10) and Bharti Fulmali ensured GG crossed the 200 mark, turning a good total into a daunting one.
Second Innings – UPW Chase - Litchfield’s Masterclass Keeps Warriorz Alive
UP Warriorz needed early momentum but lost Kiran Navgire cheaply to Renuka Singh’s swing. Meg Lanning struggled to break free before falling to Wareham’s guile, but Phoebe Litchfield produced one of the finest knocks of the season. Mixing power with innovation, she raced to a 24-ball fifty and kept UPW in the hunt even as wickets fell around her. Shweta Sehrawat and Deandra Dottin added brief sparks, while Asha Sobhana’s late assault made the final overs tense. However, disciplined death bowling and timely wickets ensured Gujarat Giants defended their total successfully.
End of a high-scoring contest in Navi Mumbai! @Giant_Cricket 🧡 kick-off their #TATAWPL 2026 campaign with a 🔟-run victory over #UPW
— Women's Premier League (WPL) (@wplt20) January 10, 2026
Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/0Vl9vFyTyq#KhelEmotionKa | #UPWvGG pic.twitter.com/TUpevakZ6v
Top Performers
Ashleigh Gardner – Captain’s Knock Under Pressure
Ashleigh Gardner once again proved why she remains Gujarat Giants’ most influential player. Walking in with the innings delicately poised, Gardner absorbed pressure before launching a brutal counterattack. Her 65 off 41 balls featured six boundaries and three sixes, with a strike rate that soared past 200 in the death overs. Gardner’s ability to switch gears transformed the innings and left UP Warriorz scrambling for answers. She also chipped in with the ball and marshalled her resources smartly in the field, leading from the front in a statement win for the Giants.
Georgia Wareham – Player of the Match - Wickets, Runs, and Momentum
Georgia Wareham delivered a complete all-round performance that earned her the Player of the Match award. With the ball, she picked up key wickets including Meg Lanning, applying the brakes during the middle overs when UP looked set to accelerate. Later, her fearless 27 off just 10 balls gave Gujarat Giants vital momentum at the death.
Wareham’s calm under pressure, sharp fielding, and ability to strike at crucial moments underlined her value in high-scoring games, as she played a decisive role in swinging the match Gujarat’s way.
What This Result Means
This victory marks a significant moment for Gujarat Giants, who finally registered their first opening-match win in WPL history after three consecutive losses in previous seasons. The result also gave them their maiden WPL victory at DY Patil Stadium, boosting confidence early in the tournament. For UP Warriorz, the defeat highlighted both promise and problems — their batting firepower is evident, but execution at key moments remains a concern. With multiple games still to come, both teams will take lessons from this high-octane clash, but it’s Gujarat who walk away with momentum and belief.
WPL 2026 Points Table
