GG-W Gujarat Giants Women
UP-W UP Warriorz Women
Womens Premier League
Gujarat Giants Women vs UP Warriorz Women Match Prediction
Last updated: 20 January 2026
Playoff implications hang on every ball as Gujarat Giants host UP Warriorz at BCA Stadium. Both teams sit on 4 points with identical 2-3 records, desperate for a win to stay in contention. Phoebe Litchfield leads the Orange Cap race with 211 runs at a blistering strike rate. Gujarat's captain Ashleigh Gardner has expressed frustration after three straight losses, while UP Warriorz arrive with momentum after beating defending champions Mumbai Indians twice in a row.
Gujarat Giants' WPL 2026: Frustration After Fast Start
Gujarat Giants exploded out of the blocks but have imploded since. Their WPL 2026 campaign shows a concerning WWLLL pattern:
- Match 2 (Jan 10) vs UP Warriorz - Won by 10 runs. Gardner's 65(41) powered GG to 207/4, Georgia Wareham took Player of the Match.
- Match 5 (Jan 11) vs Delhi Capitals - Won by 4 runs. Another close finish defending a total around 210.
- Match 6 (Jan 13) vs Mumbai Indians - Lost by 7 wickets. MI chased down 193 with ease, exposing bowling frailties.
- Match 9 (Jan 16) vs RCB - Lost by 32 runs. Bundled out for 150 chasing 183, batting order collapsed.
- Match 12 (Jan 19) vs RCB - Lost by 61 runs. Dismissed for just 117 chasing 179. Worst performance of the season.
Captain Ashleigh Gardner was brutally honest after the 61-run defeat: "It's pretty frustrating. I'm not going to lie here. When you drop catches, and they go on to score runs. It's those small moments that we are not winning at the moment."
Key concern: Three consecutive losses have seen Gujarat's NRR plummet to -0.864, the worst among teams on 4 points. Their bowling has leaked runs in the middle overs, and the batting has twice collapsed under pressure against RCB.
UP Warriorz's WPL 2026: Momentum Building
UP Warriorz endured a nightmare start but have found their rhythm. Their LLLWW pattern tells a story of redemption:
- Match 2 (Jan 10) vs Gujarat Giants - Lost by 10 runs. Litchfield's 78(40) nearly pulled off a massive chase of 208.
- Match 3 (Jan 11) vs Delhi Capitals - Lost by 8 runs. Fell short chasing 170, batting depth exposed.
- Match 6 (Jan 13) vs RCB - Lost by 4 wickets. Defended only 151, RCB chased with an over to spare.
- Match 8 (Jan 15) vs Mumbai Indians - Won by 7 wickets. Lanning 70 and Litchfield 61 shared a 119-run opening stand chasing 162.
- Match 10 (Jan 17) vs Mumbai Indians - Won by 22 runs. Defended 187/8 successfully - proving they can win batting first.
Captain Meg Lanning spoke about the turnaround: "Momentum building at the right time. Losing first three wasn't ideal but the group stayed upbeat. We nailed our planning process in the last two games."
Key strength: The Lanning-Litchfield opening combination is the most destructive in WPL 2026. Their 119-run partnership against MI showed what happens when both fire. With Litchfield holding the Orange Cap (211 runs) and Lanning third (193 runs), UP Warriorz have top-order firepower Gujarat cannot match.
Key Players to Watch
| Player | Team | Role | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phoebe Litchfield | UP-W | Opener | 211 runs - Orange Cap leader |
| Meg Lanning | UP-W | Captain/Opener | 193 runs, 3rd in Orange Cap |
| Ashleigh Gardner | GG-W | Captain/All-rounder | 65(41) vs UP-W in reverse fixture |
| Georgia Wareham | GG-W | Spinner | Player of Match vs UP-W (Jan 10) |
| Sophie Ecclestone | UP-W | Spinner | World #1 T20I bowler, 2/32 vs GG-W |
Head-to-Head Record
Gujarat dominated WPL 2024-2026 (4-1).
Most recent: GG-W won by 10 runs (Jan 10, 2026)
Venue and Conditions
BCA Stadium, Vadodara has been a chasing paradise in WPL 2026 - all six matches have been won by the team batting second. Heavy dew in evening matches makes defending totals extremely difficult. The 7:30 PM start guarantees significant dew in the second innings. Toss winner will almost certainly choose to chase.
Why UP Warriorz Are Favourites
Our Prediction
Gujarat Giants have home advantage and won the reverse fixture by 10 runs. But that was a different Gujarat team - one that had won their first two matches and had confidence. Three consecutive losses, including being bowled out for 117 against RCB, have shattered that momentum.
UP Warriorz have the form (LLLWW), the firepower (Orange Cap #1 and #3), and the venue advantage (chasers win here). If they win the toss and chase - which is almost certain at BCA Stadium - the Lanning-Litchfield combination could be devastating under lights with dew on their side.
Prediction: UP Warriorz to win
Confidence: 55%
