A new era for UP Warriorz (UPW) begins on Sunday, in the third season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), under Deepti Sharma’s leadership. With regular captain Alyssa Healy sidelined due to an injury, Deepti will aim to lead UPW to a winning start against Gujarat Giants (GG), at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara.
Looking at the head-to-head record, UPW has dominated GG, winning three of their four encounters in WPL history. A key factor in those victories has been Australia’s Grace Harris, who has delivered match-winning performances each time.
In four matches against GG, Grace has scored 192 runs in four innings, at an outstanding average of 96.00, and a strike rate of 179.43. It also includes three half-centuries. More than the numbers, what stands out is how she has turned games around for her team in crucial moments.
Match No. 3, WPL 2023, POTM: Grace Harris
UPW were chasing 170 but were struggling at 86/4 in 12 overs. Grace Harris walked in at number six with a big task ahead—her team needed 84 runs from 48 balls. The situation got worse as UPW lost three more wickets.
Sophie Ecclestone then joined Grace and provided crucial support. The Aussie all-rounder unleashed her power-hitting skills, keeping UPW in the chase. With three overs left, they needed 53 runs. The duo smashed 20 runs off Kim Garth and 14 off Ashleigh Gardner, bringing the equation down to 19 off the final over.
Grace faced her Australian teammate Annabel Sutherland in the last over. She started with a six, followed by two wides, a double, and two fours, leaving UPW with just one run to get from the final two balls. Holding her nerve, she smashed Sutherland’s low full toss for another six to seal a stunning win. Grace remained unbeaten on 59 off 26 balls, while Ecclestone’s vital 22* off 12 balls helped UPW chase the target with one ball to spare.
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Match No. 17, WPL 2023, POTM: Grace Harris
This time, UPW were chasing 179 but found themselves in trouble at 39/3 in 4.5 overs. Grace Harris, batting at number five, joined Tahlia McGrath, and the duo steadied the innings with a crucial 78-run partnership. McGrath played a fine knock of 57 before getting out, but Grace carried on her aggressive approach.
She went on to smash a match-winning 72 off 41 balls, keeping UPW in the hunt. Once again, Sophie Ecclestone played a key role at the end, scoring an unbeaten 19 off 13 balls. UPW clinched the victory with three wickets in hand and just one ball to spare. With this win, they completed the league double over GG and secured a spot in the playoffs.
MatchNo. 8, WPL 2024, POTM: Grace Harris
UPW had a modest target of 143 to chase and got off to a brisk start, reaching 50/2 in 5.2 overs. Grace Harris walked in at number four and took charge, smashing the GG bowlers all around the park. She remained unbeaten on 60 off 33 balls, guiding UPW to victory in just 15.4 overs with six wickets in hand.
In all three wins, Grace was UPW’s saviour, and fans will be hoping for another stellar performance from her in today’s season opener. However, in their last match of the previous edition, Ashleigh Gardner dismissed her for just one run—the only time GG had beaten UPW. Despite that, current captain Deepti Sharma played a brilliant knock of 88* off 60 balls in that game. However, UPW fell just eight runs short of the target.
Grace Harris did not score big runs in the recent three T20Is against England in the Ashes, managing only 60 across three innings. However, she comes into this tournament in top form, having smashed two fifties and a century in her last three innings for Queensland in the Women’s National Cricket League. With that kind of form, expectations will be higher this time. And the real test begins today against her favourite opponent, GG.
For GG, skipper Ashleigh Gardner shone with both bat and ball (79* off 37, 2/33 in three overs), but RCB pulled off a stunning chase to win the first game. Now, the big question is whether they can stop Grace Harris and UPW. Back-to-back losses in the first two games could put GG in a tough spot in the playoff race.