UP Warriorz’s (UPW) new era under Meg Lanning began on a disappointing note with a 10-run defeat against Gujarat Giants (GG) in the ongoing WPL 2026 at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
UPW had a poor start to the chase, losing Kiran Navgire for just one run as she was cleaned up by Renuka Singh Thakur. Phoebe Litchfield, at three, stitched a steady 70-run partnership with skipper Meg Lanning. However, what followed was a mini-collapse. After Lanning was dismissed for 30, Georgia Wareham sent back Harleen Deol for a two-ball duck. Soon after, Renuka registered her second wicket by dismissing star all-rounder Deepti Sharma for just one run. UPW suddenly lost three wickets for the addition of just one run and were reduced to 74/4.
Litchfield then found support from wicketkeeper-batter Shweta Sehrawat. Shweta showed why the franchise retained her ahead of this season, batting with confidence and scoring 25 off 17 balls. The duo added a crucial 69-run stand. However, once Shweta was dismissed, Litchfield also failed to carry on, with her fine knock of 78 off 40 balls coming to an end.
Deandra Dottin also failed to get going, even though Asha Sobhana added some vital runs at the end, remaining unbeaten on 27 off 10 balls, including three boundaries and two sixes. Eventually, UPW managed 197/8 in 20 overs and fell short by 10 runs. For GG, Renuka, Wareham and Sophie Devine picked up two wickets each.
Earlier, GG’s batters enjoyed an outstanding outing, registering their highest-ever total in WPL history with 207/4 in 20 overs. Openers Beth Mooney (13) and Sophie Devine (38) provided a steady start, but it was the 103-run partnership for the third wicket between skipper Ashleigh Gardner and Anushka Sharma that proved to be the game-changer. Anushka looked in great touch, played some delightful shots, and scored 44 off 30 balls.
After Gardner’s dismissal for 65, UPW had a brief chance to apply pressure. However, Wareham’s quickfire unbeaten 27 off 10 balls, along with Bharti Fulmali’s unbeaten 14 off seven deliveries, ensured GG crossed the 200-run mark. Wareham’s all-round performance earned her the Player of the Match award. Interestingly, this was the first time Gujarat Giants won a WPL match at the DY Patil Stadium, having lost all three of their previous games at the venue.
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