Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz Highlights, WPL 2026: Gujarat Giants Beat UP Warriorz By 10 Runs

Right then, that wraps up the first game of this double-header Saturday in the WPL 2026. A high-scoring affair, where over 400 runs were scored, and Gujarat Giants open their account, while UP Warriorz will have to wait a bit longer. Coming up next, two fierce rivals go head-to-head as defending champions Mumbai Indians lock horns with Delhi Capitals. The match will get underway shortly, so all you need to do is switch tabs and join us for the complete build-up and live coverage of the contest. Cheers!

Georgia Wareham is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for excellent all-round performance. She says that it is an awesome start to the tournament, and momentum is key in this league, so it is nice to get the first win right away. Adds that it was a flat wicket and the bowlers did a good job. Considers herself a bit lucky getting those couple of wickets, but it was fun. Says that she and Mooney were confident it was pad first on Lanning's dismissal, and it was a key moment in the game.

Ashleigh Gardner, the victorious skipper of Gujarat Giants, says it was a fantastic game for whoever came to watch, as it just shows how good the pitch is to bat on. Tells that there are plenty of learning opportunities with both bat and ball, and feels they have fielded brilliantly, which might have made the difference. Appreciates the knock of Anushka Sharma, adds she has seen little of her in the nets, but admits she is brilliant. Mentions that she can throw the ball to everyone and is confident that they'll do the job.

Presentation Time...

Renuka Singh Thakur of Gujarat Giants is up for a quick chat. She says that her focus is on delivering strong performances regardless of which team she is playing for. Adds that she has played a lot of cricket here and understands the conditions well. Mentions that she has been working on a few areas, like her yorkers and slower balls, and trusts herself. Says that they knew it was a good batting surface and it was always going to be which team executes their plans better, will come out on top.

Meg Lanning, the captain of UP Warriorz, says it was a great game and despite the loss, there are a lot of positives to take out off this game. Expresses that the Giants batted extremely well and feels they didn't bowl particularly well on a tough wicket, but they'll look to improve after learning from this game. Shares that most of her bowlers can bowl at any point. Feels that both sides played good cricket, it was really good to bat, but still feels they could have conceded a bit less

UP Warriorz have pocketed the two points, but there is still room for improvement with the ball as the season progresses. Renuka Singh Thakur was excellent with the new ball and struck early, though they failed to fully capitalise on that start. However, Georgia Wareham turned the game on its head by dismissing Harleen Deol and Meg Lanning in the 9th over, which was followed by Renuka removing the dangerous Deepti Sharma in the very next over. UP had a firm grip on the contest at that stage, but some ordinary bowling in the middle overs allowed the Giants back into the game. Still, Rajeshwari Gayakwad played her part by breaking a key partnership, and Sophie Devine and Ashleigh Gardner delivered when it mattered most to seal the deal.

Earlier in the game, Gujarat Giants registered their highest-ever total in the WPL, powered by a blistering half-century from skipper Ashleigh Gardner. She was involved in a magnificent 103-run stand with young Anushka Sharma, who marked her debut with an impressive 44. Sophie Devine provided the early momentum, while Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali added the finishing touches with some late fireworks to round off a dominant batting effort. For UP Warriorz, Sophie Ecclestone was the standout bowler, picking up a couple of wickets, while Shikha Pandey and Deandra Dottin claimed one each. However, apart from Sophie, no other bowler managed an economy under nine, which proved costly for their cause.

Despite losing an early wicket, Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield ensured a solid start in the chase, adding 73 runs and keeping things on track before the skipper’s dismissal sparked a sudden collapse from 73/1 to 74/4 in just five balls. Phoebe, though, held her ground, brought up a superb fifty, and looked a class apart, finding good support from Shweta Sehrawat in a crucial 69-run stand that kept the game alive. However, both fell at the wrong time when the asking rate began to climb, and despite a late 27 off 10 from Asha Sobhana, the chase ended just short.

Gujarat Giants kick off their campaign with a fine victory, though it turned out to be much closer than they would have anticipated. Full credit to the UP Warriorz, who kept fighting right till the end and fell short by just 10 runs. They will be left wondering what might have been had they taken their chances in the field and executed their plans better with the ball.

FOUR! Ends with a boundary. Touch fuller, angling on middle, Asha Sobhana looks to whip but gets an inside edge, past the diving keeper and to fine leg for four. Gujarat Giants win by 10 runs.

FOUR! Asha Sobhana has played a good hand despite the outcome of the team. Very full and on middle, Asha Sobhana makes room and lofts it cleanly over mid off for a boundary.

SIX! Back of a length and sliding on middle, Asha Sobhana whacks it over square leg for a six. Good shot.

Could have been another wicket! Pace off, fuller delivery around off, Shikha Pandey balloons it to mid off. The fielder runs behind and dives but fails to hold on. Dropped. A single is taken.

Shikha Pandey comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN! That puts the game to bed! A low full toss, outside off. Sophie Ecclestone swings hard but slices it straight to Kashvee Gautam, who takes a sharp catch inside the ring at cover.

A single and Ecclestone is on strike! Bowls it fuller and on middle, Asha Sobhana hits it down to long on for a single.

Sophie Devine to bowl the last over. She needs to defend 25 runs here.

Just a single! A slower length delivery, around off, Asha Sobhana steps across and laps it to short fine leg. Doesn't time it well and settles with a run. Asha will keep the strike.

Hard length delivery on middle and leg, Ecclestone paddles it to deep square leg for a single. Need a biggie to keep the hopes alive