WPL playoff battle: UP Warriorz in control, Gujarat need win to stay alive

With the Women’s Premier League heading into its crucial phase, UP Warriorz will begin Thursday’s clash against Gujarat Giants with a clear advantage. Both teams are locked in the battle for the remaining two playoff spots, but Gujarat’s recent slump has handed Warriorz the upper hand.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already confirmed their playoff berth with a perfect record of five wins in five matches. Delhi Capitals , on the other hand, tightened the race after their seven-wicket win on Tuesday, leaving the rest of the table wide open.

Mumbai Indians, UP Warriorz, Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants are all on four points, and the net run rate will play a key role in deciding who makes it through.

UP Warriorz have found their rhythm after a shaky start to the season. They lost their first three matches against Gujarat, RCB and Delhi, but bounced back strongly with back-to-back wins over Mumbai Indians . The Warriorz successfully defended 161/5 in their first meeting and then restricted the defending champions to 165/6 in the second encounter, showcasing a well-balanced bowling attack.

Their bowling unit has emerged as one of the strongest in the tournament, with pacers Kranti Goud , Shikha Pandey and Deandra Dottin leading the charge. They are supported by a quality spin line-up featuring Sophie Ecclestone, Deepti Sharma and Asha Shobana.

However, UP’s middle order has shown signs of vulnerability. Deepti Sharma, a key player, has struggled with the bat, scoring just 1, 2 and 0 in recent matches, apart from an unbeaten 45 against RCB in a losing cause.

With Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield capable of dismantling any attack at the top, Warriorz will be aiming to finish among the top three as the playoff race tightens.

Gujarat Giants, meanwhile, are desperate to turn their campaign around. After starting with impressive wins over UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals, the team’s batting has lost momentum, leading to three consecutive defeats.

In their opening match of the season, Gujarat had restricted UP to 197/8 and defended 207 to secure their first win. They followed it up with a four-run victory over Delhi, crossing the 200-run mark again.

But the momentum faded after their 192/5 against Mumbai Indians went in vain. They were bundled out for 150 while chasing 183 against RCB and managed only 117/8 while chasing 179 in their last outing, also against RCB.

The team’s senior batters have struggled. Australian wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney has managed only 95 runs in five innings, averaging 19, with a top score of 33. Sophie Devine has also been inconsistent, scoring 8, 8 and 0 in her last three matches.

Anushka Sharma has returned to the side but has not been able to make an impact, while skipper Ashleigh Gardner has been the standout performer, leading the run charts with two half-centuries. Gujarat may look to promote Gardner up the order to spark a revival.

Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner (c), Beth Mooney, Sophie Devine, Renuka Singh Thakur, Bharti Fulmali, Titas Sadhu, Kashee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, Tanuja Kanwer, Georgia Wareham, Anushka Sharma, Happy Kumari, Kim Garth, Yastika Bhatia, Shivani Singh, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Ayushi Soni.

UP Warriorz: Meg Lanning (c), Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Phoebe Litchfield, Kiran Navgire, Harleen Deol, Kranti Goud, Asha Sobhana, Deandra Dottin, Shikha Pandey, Shipra Giri, Simran Shaikh, Chloe Tryon, Suman Meena, G. Trisha, Pratika Rawal and Charli Knott.

Match starts at 7.30pm.