🏏WPL 2025: Match 15 - GG W vs UP Warriorz W at Lucknow, 03/03/25🏏 - Page 132

Batters to watch(Recent stats)

Beth Mooney, GG-W

10 M • 321 Runs • 40.13 Avg • 137.17 SR

Ashleigh Gardner, GG-W

10 M • 270 Runs • 30 Avg • 153.4 SR

Deepti Sharma, UPW-W

10 M • 338 Runs • 48.29 Avg • 134.12 SR

Grace Harris, UPW-W

10 M • 166 Runs • 18.44 Avg • 118.57 SR

Bowlers to watch(Recent stats)

Ashleigh Gardner, GG-W

10 M • 12 Wkts • 8.51 Econ • 16.91 SR

Tanuja Kanwar, GG-W

10 M • 9 Wkts • 6.94 Econ • 22.66 SR

Sophie Ecclestone, UPW-W

10 M • 12 Wkts • 6.45 Econ • 20 SR

Deepti Sharma, UPW-W

10 M • 12 Wkts • 7.21 Econ • 19.5 SR

Pitch Report

The pitch at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium offers low bounce. The weather is expected to be pleasant and clear during the game with no chance of rain. The team winning the toss might opt to bowl first, as this would help the team to get momentum and score runs easily in the second innings.

UP-W vs GJ-W Probable Best Performers

Probable Best Batter: Shweta Sehrawat

Shweta Sehrawat has played a pivotal role for the UP Warriorz. Notably, she scored 37 runs off 33 balls against the Delhi Capitals, contributing to a total of 166/7. Her consistent performances have bolstered the team's batting lineup, showcasing her potential and making her one of key players to look forward to in the game.

Probable Best Bowler: Sophie Ecclestone

Sophie Ecclestone's ability to pick up crucial wickets helps in changing the momentum. She got 11 wickets from eight games at an average of 18.82 in WPL 2024. UP Warriors will wait to see what the Wonder Lady has to offer.

Today's Match Prediction: Chasing team to win the match

Scenario 1

• UP Warriorz Women win the toss and bowl
• PP Score - 35-45
• GJ-W - 150-160
• UP Warriorz Women win the match

Scenario 2

• Gujarat Giants Women win the toss and bowl
• PP score - 45-55
• UP-W- 170-180
• Gujarat Giants Women win the match

Disclaimer: The prediction is based on the understanding, analysis, and instinct of the author. While making your prediction, consider the points mentioned and make your own decision.

Thank you Raji for tagging me and for the vital information regarding the match.

"Muskuraaiye, aap Lucknow me hain (smile, because you are in Lucknow)," goes the popular adage. Yep, it is time to rejoice, for the WPL enters a new destination, a new city, a new set of fans, a new state - the capital city of Uttar Pradesh. It is the home venue of the UP Warriorz, who have otherwise had 'home games' at DY Patil Stadium, Brabourne Stadium, M Chinnaswamy or the Kotla in the past two seasons. But the two teams heading to play the first WPL match in Lucknow can just about afford a smile.

The Warriorz and Gujarat Giants are both on four points in five games, and are among the three sides with same points tally. A loss for either team could push them towards a tricky spot. Both Warriorz and Giants have struggled to find the right combinations. Both have had issues in their batting, with bowlers conjuring enough to notch up wins or get close. Giants have a settled bowling unit among the two. How will the teams cope? Will the new venue bring some change in fortunes for either side? Let's find out.

First let's talk about UP Warriorz. They have struggled for strong start from the openers. Kiran Navgire has been a constant while Vrinda Dinesh and Grace Harris have partnered her so far. Deepti Sharma has batted at Nos. 3 and 4 with not the desired effect. Tahlia McGrath has struggled for form. They never played Chamari Athapaththu, who has now left for national duty. Her replacement is Georgia Voll, who won the women's debutant of the year 2024 on ESPNcricinfo Awards. She is a hard-hitter who can bat at the top order. Do UPW bring her in straightaway and give TMac a break?

And what's up with their bowling? India-regular Saima Thakor has been in an out of the XI. Last time she played but did not bat or bowl. Kranti Goud has been a revelation. Alana King bled runs in the only game she played, and was overlooked after that. Time to give her a go in Lucknow?

Hello and welcome to our coverage of the WPL which has arrived in Lucknow for the next few matches. The tournament is at a critical juncture, particularly for the two teams that are going to be in action today. Hosts UP Warriorz and Gujarat Giants both have two wins from five matches and they're locked in a tight race for qualification. Only two more spots are available now with Delhi Capitals already booking their place in the next round.

I was just thinking about the players Giants have had in the short history of the WPL so far - Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Lea Tahuhu, Ashleigh Gardner, Phoebe Litchfield, Ashleigh Gardner and now Deandra Dottin. And yet, that is a team that has finished at the bottom of the pile in the last two years. The start to WPL 2025 was a promising one but they have under-fired since and are at the bottom of the table again.

Their reliance on overseas names has perhaps never been greater. And with a key force, Beth Mooney, not among the runs after being relieved of captaincy, that has proved to be a jolt for them. They are another team that has tinkered with the opening combination. After scoring 201 in the opening game, they haven't fired as a batting unit. Kashvee Gautam's resurgence, from injuries and what not, has been such a bright spot. Giants got the better of Warriorz the last time these teams met, time for an encore to move away from the bottom spot?

Both teams have had such similar journeys so far, which is why Srinidhi feels both teams need consistency.