The Lucknow leg of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 is set to begin today, with UP Warriorz (UPW) taking on the Gujarat Giants (GG) at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium. This marks the first-ever WPL match in Lucknow, making it a significant occasion for UPW as they get to play in front of their home crowd.
Currently, both teams are locked at four points from five matches (two wins, three losses). However, UPW sits in third place due to a better net run rate, while GG is at the fifth spot. This match is crucial for both teams to stay alive in the playoff race, with a win providing much-needed momentum.
In the head-to-head battle, UPW leads 3-2 in five encounters. However, in the reverse fixture, GG emerged victorious, defeating UPW by six wickets in Vadodara. This time, UPW will be eager to turn the tables and avoid another setback against GG.
Tahlia McGrath’s struggles and potential change
One of the biggest concerns for UPW this season has been the poor form of Australian all-rounder Tahlia McGrath. In five matches, she has managed just 26 runs, including two ducks, and with the ball, she has taken only two wickets.
Interestingly, on all five occasions this season, she has been dismissed by spinners. Even during the Bengaluru leg, where bounce suited her game, she struggled to make an impact. Now, with the Ekana pitch favouring spinners, her position in the XI is in serious doubt.
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UPW’s strong spin attack and team combination concerns
UPW boasts the most lethal spin unit in the tournament, featuring Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma, Alana King, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Grace Harris (part-time option). Given the conditions in Lucknow, UPW could field a spin-heavy attack, with a likely trio of Ecclestone, Deepti, and either Alana King or Rajeshwari Gayakwad. However, this would create a dilemma in their overseas selections.
If Alana King plays, the two overseas slots left will have to be carefully picked from Grace Harris (powerful middle-order batter and handy off-spinner), Chinelle Henry (pace-bowling all-rounder), and Tahlia McGrath or Georgia Voll.
If Rajeshwari Gayakwad is included in the XI, she would likely replace a pacer—either Saima Thakor or Kranti Goud. This would allow UPW to retain both Harris and Henry without disrupting the team balance. In that case, the major decision will come down to choosing between McGrath and Voll for the final overseas spot.
Is it time to drop McGrath for Georgia Voll?
UPW recently signed Georgia Voll as a replacement for Chamari Athapaththu, who left for Sri Lanka’s tour of New Zealand. Given McGrath’s poor form, this match could be the perfect opportunity to bring Voll into the XI.
She is known for her attacking intent in white-ball cricket. In the recent WBBL, she scored 330 runs in 12 innings at an average of 30.00 with a strike rate of 144.73 for Sydney Thunder, finishing as the fifth-highest run-scorer.
Voll recently made her T20I debut against England in the Ashes and had a strike rate of 132.43 in three games. If Voll is included, she could open the innings alongside Kiran Navgire, pushing Harris back into her preferred middle-order role. This move could add fresh energy to UPW’s batting lineup.
With the playoff race heating up, UPW cannot afford another misstep. The Ekana pitch is expected to favour spinners, and UPW has the resources to capitalise on it. However, the key decision will be whether they persist with an out-of-form McGrath or hand Voll an opportunity.
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