The highly anticipated clash between the UP Warriorz Women (UPW-W) and Gujarat Giants Women (GG-W) marks match number 15 of the WPL 2025 season on Monday, March 3, 2025, at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. This match not only signifies the start of the tournament's Lucknow leg but also serves as a pivotal moment for both teams vying for playoff positions.
The current standings place UP Warriorz third on the points table after delivering two wins and facing three defeats. Despite their struggles, the Warriorz managed to defeat the Delhi Capitals by 33 runs and triumphed over Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) through Super Over drama, only to stumble against the Mumbai Indians by eight wickets in their latest outing. Their net run rate currently sits at -0.124, highlighting the urgent need for improvement.
On the other hand, the Gujarat Giants are currently at the bottom of the table, having secured just two wins from five matches, with three consecutive defeats dampening their hopes for the playoffs. With a net run rate of -0.450, the Giants must clinch victories from their remaining games to retain any hopes of advancing.
Pitch conditions at the Ekana Cricket Stadium are expected to play a significant role. The surface, which is hosting its first WPL match, is reportedly tricky for batters, with the average first innings total from previous T20 Internationals standing at only 133. Spinners tend to fare well here, especially during the middle overs, and fast bowlers can also pressurize the batting line-up early on. According to ESPNcricinfo, "Lucknow's Ekana Stadium, hosting its first WPL match, is expected to favor spinners during the middle overs."">
Coming to the teams, UP Warriorz have made notable changes to their lineup. Georgia Voll is set to make her debut for the Warriorz, replacing the struggling Tahlia McGrath. Voll was recently recognized as the women3s debutant of the year at the ESPNcricinfo Awards, positioning her as one to watch. They also brought Gouher Sultana back as a left-arm spinner. The Warriorz are placing their collective faith on players like Grace Harris, who currently leads the bowling charts for her team with six wickets at an impressive average of 11.16.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat Giants have opted to keep their squad unchanged after their recent victory over RCB. Led by Australian opener Beth Mooney, who scored 56 runs against RCB, the Giants look to capitalize on her experience. Players like Ashleigh Gardner, also the captain, and Deandra Dottin will be pivotal for the team’s success, both having shown resilience and skills under pressure.
When it boils down to performance predictions, expectations seem tightly contested. For UPW-W, Kiran Navgire, Grace Harris, and Deepti Sharma are some valuable players to keep on your radar. The Giants will be hoping for match-winning performances from their key players, including Gardner and Dottin. Based on statistics, predicted first innings scores hover around 135-140, with UP Warriorz likely to edge slightly as favorites for the match.
Overall, with playoffs within reach, this game is immensely significant for both teams. They each need to string together victories to stand any chance of participating beyond the group stages. The stakes are high, and the pressure is palpable as UP Warriorz host the Gujarat Giants. Will the home advantage come through for the Warriorz, or will the Giants pull through against the odds? Fans eagerly await to see how it all plays out at the Ekana Cricket Stadium this evening.