DC-W Delhi Capitals Women
UPW UP Warriorz
Womens Premier League
Delhi Capitals Women vs UP Warriorz Match Prediction
Last updated: 1 February 2026
Desperation meets capitulation. Delhi Capitals Women face UP Warriorz in Match 20 of WPL 2026 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara - a must-win clash with vastly different stakes. DC-W sit fifth on 6 points, needing victory to stay in the playoff race. UPW are already eliminated with just 2 points from 9 matches. Laura Wolvaardt leads WPL 2026 with 111 runs at a strike rate of 116.84. The head-to-head stands at 5-2 in DC-W favour, including a 66-run demolition earlier this season.
Delhi Capitals Women 2025/2026: Building Momentum
After a shaky start, DC-W have found their rhythm. Their WPL 2026 campaign shows clear improvement:
- WPL 2026 (Jan-Feb) - 3 wins, 4 losses. Lost opener to MI-W by 31 runs, struggled early but won 3 of last 5 matches.
- Key victories - Beat RCB-W by 25 runs (Arundhati Reddy 4/21), crushed UPW by 66 runs, edged GG-W by 4 wickets.
- Recent run - Won last 2 of 3 matches, momentum building at crucial stage.
Captain Jemimah Rodrigues was recently fined Rs 12 lakh for slow over-rate against Gujarat Giants - a sign of the team intensity under pressure. The bowling unit has been exceptional: Radha Yadav leads WPL 2026 with 12 wickets, while Arundhati Reddy has 10 wickets at economy 6.50.
Key concern: Batting inconsistency. Wolvaardt (111 runs) is carrying the load, but middle-order contributions have been patchy.
UP Warriorz 2025/2026: Season of Struggle
This has been a forgettable campaign for UP Warriorz. Their record tells the story:
- WPL 2026 (Jan-Feb) - 1 win, 8 losses. Only victory came against Gujarat Giants by 3 wickets.
- Current streak - Lost last 5 consecutive matches, including heavy defeats to MI-W (33 runs), RCB-W (41 runs), and GG-W (6 wickets).
- DC-W matchup - Lost by 66 runs earlier this season (107 all out vs 173/3).
The biggest blow: Phoebe Litchfield is OUT for the remainder of the tournament with an ankle injury. Litchfield was UPW second-highest scorer with 243 runs - her absence leaves a gaping hole. Amy Jones has been called up as replacement but cannot replicate that impact immediately.
Key concern: With Litchfield gone and Tahlia McGrath underperforming (130 runs, struggling for consistency), UPW batting is dangerously thin. Only Meg Lanning (215 runs) provides genuine resistance.
Key Players to Watch
| Player | Team | Role | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laura Wolvaardt | DC-W | Opening Batter | 111 runs, SR 116.84 (WPL leader) |
| Radha Yadav | DC-W | Left-arm Spinner | 12 wickets (most in WPL 2026) |
| Arundhati Reddy | DC-W | Medium Pacer | 10 wickets, economy 6.50 |
| Meg Lanning | UPW | Batter (Captain) | 215 runs, former DC captain |
| Grace Harris | UPW | All-rounder | Key finisher, explosive lower order |
Head-to-Head Record
DC-W crushed UPW by 66 runs earlier this season (173/3 vs 107 all out)
UPW 2 wins came in 2023 - none in last 5 meetings
Venue and Conditions
Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara has been a happy hunting ground for DC-W with a 4-1 record at this venue. The pitch typically favours batters, with scores of 150+ common in WPL matches. Evening start means dew could be a factor in the second innings - teams winning the toss often prefer to chase. DC-W familiarity with these conditions is a notable advantage.
Why Delhi Capitals Women Are Favourites
Our Prediction
Meg Lanning knows DC-W inside out - she captained them in 2023. But knowledge alone cannot compensate for a depleted squad. Without Litchfield 243 runs, UPW batting is now Lanning-dependent. If she fails, no one else can consistently score 40+.
DC-W bowling combination of Radha Yadav and Arundhati Reddy has 22 wickets between them this tournament. Against a batting lineup missing its second-best performer, expect them to dominate. The form trend (DC-W won 3 of last 5, UPW lost 5 straight) and situational pressure (must-win vs dead rubber) both favour Delhi heavily.
Prediction: Delhi Capitals Women to win
Confidence: 68%
Betting Value
Staking: 1 unit = 1% of your betting bankroll. We recommend 1.5u for edges above 8%, 1u for 5-8%, and 0.5u for edges between 2-5%.
