WPL 2nd Match: UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants on January 10 – Who Will Claim Victory?
After the thrilling MI vs RCB season opener on January 9, all eyes turn to the WPL 2026 2nd match on January 10, where UP Warriorz will take on Gujarat Giants at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. This is more than just the second match of the tournament—it’s a clash between two teams with completely different trajectories.
UP Warriorz is hungry for their first WPL title, while Gujarat Giants is building on last season’s playoff breakthrough. The day-after match offers a unique advantage: teams can watch the MI vs RCB game, analyse trends, and adjust their strategies accordingly. For cricket fans who missed the opener, this 2nd match provides the perfect opportunity to catch the action at 3:30 PM IST, making it ideal for afternoon viewing before the evening commitments kick in.
Table of Contents
WPL 2026: Understanding the Tournament Format
The Women’s Premier League 2026 continues to grow as the world’s second-biggest women’s cricket league, attracting global talent and showcasing world-class cricket. This year’s edition has some exciting twists that make every match crucial.
Key Tournament Information:
- Total Teams: 5 franchises (Mumbai Indians, RCB, Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz, Gujarat Giants)
- Total Matches: 22 league matches + Eliminator + Final
- Duration: January 9 – February 5, 2026
- Venues: DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai (first 11 matches + 2 double-headers) and Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara (remaining 11 matches + Eliminator + Final)
- First-Ever Weekday Final: February 5 (Thursday) instead of weekend to avoid conflict with men’s T20 World Cup
Why This Format Matters for the 2nd Match:
With 22 league matches split among 5 teams, every single match becomes crucial for tournament qualification. UP Warriorz, who are making big changes to their squad, need to establish early momentum right from their opening game. Similarly, Gujarat Giants, who reached their first playoff last season, want to prove their 2025 breakthrough wasn’t a one-time wonder.
Match Details: Everything You Need to Know
WPL 2026 – Match 2
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Teams | UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants |
| Date | Saturday, January 10, 2026 |
| Time | 3:30 PM IST (Afternoon Match) |
| Venue | DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai |
| Format | T20 (20 overs per side) |
| Toss | 3:00 PM IST |
Why Afternoon Timing Matters:
This is the first afternoon match of WPL 2026, and afternoon cricket in Mumbai on January 10 typically offers excellent batting conditions. The pitch will be fresh after the MI vs RCB match, potentially offering pace and bounce rather than excessive turn. The sun will be strong, making it ideal for batters who can handle short-pitch bowling. For bowlers, reverse swing and hard lengths will be difficult to execute early on, so powerplay bowling will likely be straightforward fast bowling.
UP Warriorz Squad: Building for Glory
Team Philosophy:
UP Warriorz made a bold statement at the WPL 2026 auction by retaining only one uncapped player (Shweta Sehrawat) and using their Right-to-Match cards strategically to bring back key players. This shows the franchise’s commitment to building a winning structure quickly. They spent heavily on India’s ODI World Cup winner Deepti Sharma (3.2 crore), signalling their intent to compete for the title immediately.
Squad Overview & Key Retentions
Retained Player:
- Shweta Sehrawat (Only Retention) – Young Indian batter with immense potential
RTM Cards Used (Brought Back Stars):
- Deepti Sharma (3.2 crore, RTM) – India’s ODI World Cup Player of the Tournament 2024, crucial all-rounder
- Sophie Ecclestone (RTM) – World-class English spinner, one of the best left-arm bowlers globally
- Kranti Gaud (RTM) – Indian bowler with excellent variations
- Kiran Navgire (RTM) – Rising Indian batter
Major Auction Buys:
- Meg Lanning (Australia, Captain) – World-class Australian batter and experienced captain
- Phoebe Litchfield (Australia) – Young Australian all-rounder with explosive batting
- Deandra Dottin (West Indies) – Explosive batter and experienced T20 player
- Harleen Deol (India) – Indian batter with excellent T20 record
- Asha Sobhana (India) – Indian spinner
Probable Playing XI for UP Warriorz:
Meg Lanning (C), Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Phoebe Litchfield (WK), Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Deandra Dottin, Sophie Ecclestone, Kranti Gaud, Shikha Pandey, Asha Sobhana
Squad Strength Rating: 9/10 (Highest-rated new squad at the auction)
Gujarat Giants Squad: Steady Builders
Team Philosophy:
Gujarat Giants, under captain Ashleigh Gardner, adopted a “quality over quantity” approach at the WPL 2026 auction. Instead of making dramatic changes, they retained their two best players and made strategic signings to strengthen specific areas. This franchise reached the playoffs for the first time in 2025, and they’re determined to build on that foundation rather than disrupt it.
Squad Overview & Key Retentions
Retained Players (2):
- Ashleigh Gardner (3.5 crore, Captain) – Australian all-rounder, world-class player with match-winning ability
- Beth Mooney (2.5 crore, WK) – One of the world’s most consistent batters, reliable wicket-keeper
Major Auction Signings:
- Sophie Devine (New Zealand) – Explosive New Zealand batter with extensive T20 experience
- Renuka Singh (India) – Indian pace bowler with excellent variations
- Kashvee Gautam (India) – Young Indian bowler with promise
- Georgia Wareham (Australia) – Australian pace bowler
- Kim Garth (Australia) – Australian all-rounder
- Danni Wyatt-Hodge (England) – English batter with world-class credentials
Probable Playing XI for Gujarat Giants:
Beth Mooney (WK), Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Sophie Devine, Georgia Voll, Renuka Singh, Kim Garth, Kashvee Gautam, Georgia Wareham, Titas Sadhu, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Squad Strength Assessment: Strong, balanced squad with good balance between overseas experience and Indian talent
Head-to-Head Record: The Even Battle
Overall WPL Record (All Seasons Combined):
| Statistic | UP Warriorz | Gujarat Giants |
|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 6 | 6 |
| Wins | 3 | 3 |
| Losses | 3 | 3 |
| Win Percentage | 50% | 50% |
| Highest Score | 181 | 186 |
| Lowest Score | 105 | 142 |
What This Means: This is a completely balanced rivalry. Over three seasons, both teams have won exactly 3 matches each, making this rivalry one of the most unpredictable in the WPL. Neither team has a psychological advantage, which means the 2nd match will come down to form, momentum, and execution on the day.
Recent History (WPL 2025):
- Match 1 (March 3, 2025): Gujarat Giants won decisively with a score of 186/5, chasing down UP’s 105 all out
- Match 2 (March 16, 2025): UP Warriorz won narrowly with 143/4, defeating Gujarat’s 143/9
This shows that both teams are capable of winning convincingly or narrowly, depending on the circumstances.
Key Players to Watch
Deepti Sharma (UP Warriorz – Captain’s X-Factor)
Deepti Sharma is the most high-profile signing of UP Warriorz for WPL 2026. Why is she so important?
- International Pedigree: Won the ODI World Cup Player of the Tournament award in 2025 while leading India’s bowling
- Versatile All-rounder: Can bat at number 6-7 and bowl crucial overs in middle and death overs
- Record Against Giants: Has a proven track record of performing against Gujarat Giants in various formats
- Franchise Investment: UP Warriorz paid 3.2 crore (record RTM price), showing their belief in her
Why She Matters in the 2nd Match: After winning the World Cup, Deepti will be high on confidence and motivation. Her ability to contribute both with bat and ball makes UP Warriorz a more balanced team. If she takes early wickets, UP will be in control.
Beth Mooney (Gujarat Giants – Batting Anchor)
Beth Mooney is one of the world’s most consistent T20 batters and carries the weight of Gujarat Giants’ batting lineup.
- International Record: Over 3,000 T20I runs with impressive consistency
- Retention Price: Only two overseas players retained globally in WPL 2026, and Mooney is one of them
- Experience: Playing in multiple T20 leagues, including Big Bash and other international tournaments
- Key Statistic: Has an average above 35 in T20 cricket over the last 3 years
Why She Matters in the 2nd Match: When Mooney gets going, she’s nearly impossible to stop. For UP’s bowlers, restricting Mooney early will be crucial because if she scores 40+ runs, Gujarat’s chase becomes very strong.
Meg Lanning (UP Warriorz – Captain & Experience)
Meg Lanning, the Australian cricket legend and experienced T20 captain, brings invaluable leadership and match awareness to UP Warriorz. She was captain of Australia for multiple World Cups and knows exactly how to handle pressure situations. Her presence provides stability in the middle order and tactical leadership alongside coach Abhishek Nayar.
Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants – Captain & Game-Changer)
Ashleigh Gardner, the Australian all-rounder and Gujarat Giants captain, is one of the most impactful players in T20 cricket. Her ability to change matches with bat or ball makes her dangerous in both aspects of the game. In the 2nd match, if Gardner takes early wickets and supports the top order, Gujarat will be strong contenders.
Match Prediction: Who Will Win the WPL 2nd Match?
Expert Analysis & Verdict
Pre-Match Assessment:
This is a genuinely evenly matched contest, as reflected in their 50-50 head-to-head record. However, when you factor in squad strength, new additions, and tournament momentum, here’s the detailed analysis:
Factors Favouring UP Warriorz:
- Strongest New Squad: Rated 9/10 at the auction, the best-performing new squad in WPL 2026
- Deepti Sharma Factor: India’s World Cup star brings confidence and all-round capability
- Star Power in Middle Order: Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, and Deandra Dottin provide explosive batting in middle overs
- Sophie Ecclestone: One of the world’s best spinners, perfect for Indian conditions
- Fresh Energy: The high squad rating suggests strong chemistry and team cohesion
Factors Favouring Gujarat Giants:
- Continuity Advantage: Retained their best players (Ashleigh Gardner and Beth Mooney), providing team stability
- Playoff Experience: Reached playoffs in 2025, so team knows how to handle pressure in crucial matches
- Balanced Squad: Mix of experienced players (Devine, Wareham) and young talent
- 50-50 Record: Both teams are evenly matched historically, so nothing separates them on paper
- Beth Mooney: One of the world’s most consistent batters who can single-handedly chase any total
Final Prediction
UP Warriorz to win by 8 runs (UP bat first and score 162/7; Gujarat falls short around 154/8)
Detailed Prediction Breakdown:
Expected UP Warriorz Score: 162/7 (First Innings)
- Meg Lanning: 32-36 runs (Anchor role)
- Harleen Deol: 28-32 runs (Quickfire after powerplay)
- Deepti Sharma: 18-22 runs (Middle-order contribution)
- Shweta Sehrawat: 15-20 runs (Support role)
- Key Moments: Strong powerplay (40-45 runs), middle-overs consolidation, explosive death bowling restricts
Expected Gujarat Giants Score: 154/8 (Second Innings)
- Beth Mooney: 38-42 runs (Leading the chase)
- Sophie Devine: 26-30 runs (Supporting Mooney)
- Ashleigh Gardner: 20-25 runs (Crucial contribution)
- Result: Fall short by 8 runs in the final over
Player of the Match: Sophie Ecclestone (UP Warriorz) – 2/24 in 4 overs, restricting Gujarat’s middle order
Key Moments:
- Sophie Ecclestone’s spell in overs 15-18 will be the difference-maker, restricting Gujarat’s acceleration
- Beth Mooney’s attempt to single-handedly chase falls just short, leaving Gujarat frustrated
- UP’s powerplay bowling (Kranti Gaud + Shikha Pandey) sets the tone with tight lines
Confidence Level: 62% for UP Warriorz (meaning 38% for Gujarat Giants to upset)
What Makes This Match Special
This 2nd match of WPL 2026 is special because:
- Afternoon Slot: The first afternoon match of the tournament offers unique conditions—fresh pitch, strong sun, ideal for batting
- Squad Strength Test: UP’s 9/10-rated new squad will be tested for the first time against established competition
- Momentum Shift: Whichever team wins will ride momentum into their next matches, while the loser will need to bounce back immediately
- Playoff Race Begins: In a 22-match league with top 4 qualifying, this match is crucial for position building early in the tournament
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Research & Sources
This match analysis is based on:
- Venue-specific conditions analysis for DY Patil Stadium in January
- The official WPL 2026 schedule and squad details released by BCCI on November 28, 2025
- Player auction records and pricing data from the WPL 2026 mega auction held on November 27, 2025
- Head-to-head records compiled from WPL 2023, 2024, and 2025 match data
- Researched by team lotus365 on different platforms (Reddy Anna Club, Raja Game, Tiranga App, Taj 777)
Expert squad ratings by cricket analysts post-auction (UP Warriorz rated 9/10)
