The highly anticipated third edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is well underway, and the excitement continues with the third clash of the tournament. Gujarat Giants will go head-to-head against UP Warriorz on February 16th at 7:30 PM (IST) at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.
For Gujarat Giants, this will be their second outing in the competition after a tough loss against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, where RCB scripted the highest-ever run chase in WPL history. Meanwhile, UP Warriorz will be stepping onto the field for the first time this season. The Warriorz have a history of strong performances, reaching the eliminator in the inaugural edition. As the two teams prepare for an electrifying contest, let’s look at the best fantasy XI picks for this game.
Wicketkeepers:
Beth Mooney
Mooney has been in spectacular form, proving to be the backbone of Gujarat’s batting lineup. She started WPL 2025 with a commanding 56 off 42 deliveries against RCB. The Australian star was recently crowned the ICC Player of the Month for January, following her stellar displays in the Ashes. Mooney’s exceptional run of form saw her amass 213 runs at a blistering strike rate of 146.89, including an unbeaten 94 off 63 balls in Adelaide. With a wealth of experience and 3215 T20I runs for Australia, she remains a crucial asset for Gujarat. Her WPL 2024 campaign saw her score 285 runs in 8 matches, with her highest being an unbeaten 85.
Batters:
Grace Harris
Harris brings a wealth of experience to the table, having represented Australia in 51 T20Is, where she has accumulated 577 runs at an impressive strike rate of 155.52, with the highest score of 64*. She has been a standout performer across multiple leagues, boasting 2854 runs at a strike rate of 130.49 and 66 wickets in 131 WBBL matches. Her WPL stats are equally remarkable, with 418 runs at a strike rate of 150.90 from just 14 matches. Harris also has 114 runs at a strike rate of 150.00 from 6 appearances in The Hundred, making her a formidable presence in any lineup.
Laura Wolvaardt
South African captain Laura Wolvaardt had a forgettable start to WPL 2025, managing just 6 runs against RCB. However, she remains one of the most consistent performers in world cricket. With 2035 T20I runs to her name and a career-best of 102, she has been a key player in the last two T20 World Cups, finishing as the top run-scorer with 223 runs in 2024 and 230 in 2023. Wolvaardt has also been a reliable performer in the WPL, scoring 167 runs in 6 innings in 2024 after registering 143 runs in 4 innings in 2023.
All-Rounders:
Deepti Sharma
Sharma has stepped into the role of captain for UP Warriorz, and her all-round abilities make her an invaluable asset. Across 17 WPL matches, she has contributed significantly with both bat and ball, scoring 385 runs in 16 innings while also claiming 19 wickets. Her 2024 campaign was particularly impressive, where she notched up 295 runs at a strike rate of 136.57 with an astonishing average of 98.33, alongside 10 wickets at an economy rate of 7.23.
Ashleigh Gardner
Gardner showcased her explosive batting skills in Gujarat’s first match, hammering 79 off just 37 deliveries, including 8 massive sixes. She also made an impact with the ball, taking the prized wickets of Smriti Mandhana and Danni Wyatt-Hodge. Although her WPL 2024 campaign was underwhelming with 120 runs and 7 wickets in 8 matches, her overall T20I record of 1411 runs and 78 wickets speaks volumes about her potential to turn games around.
Chamari Athapaththu
The Sri Lankan captain remains one of the most experienced all-rounders in women’s cricket. The Sri Lankan veteran has featured in 143 T20Is, amassing 3371 runs with the highest score of 119* while also picking up 61 wickets with best figures of 4/29. Across various leagues, she has made her mark in the WBBL with 1254 runs and 27 wickets in 63 matches. She also has 28 runs and 4 wickets in 4 WPL matches, 66 runs in 6 outings in The Hundred, and 150 runs with 3 wickets in 6 WCPL appearances.
Deandra Dottin
Dottin made a grand return to the WPL after going unsold in 2024. She had an immediate impact in Gujarat’s opening match, scoring a quickfire 25 off 13 balls while also dismissing Raghvi Bist. As one of the most accomplished T20 players, the West Indian powerhouse has accumulated 3004 runs and taken 71 wickets in 138 T20Is. Her recent performances in the India series saw her register scores of 52(28) & 25(17) while also taking 4 wickets across three matches. She continued her impressive form against Bangladesh, scoring 51, 49, and 10*.
Tahlia McGrath
The Australian vice-captain is another top all-round option. She has played 53 T20Is, amassing 1124 runs with the career-best of 91* while also taking 20 wickets with best figures of 3/13. Her WBBL record is equally commendable, with 2349 runs and 89 wickets in 138 matches. In WPL, she has made an impact with 329 runs and 3 wickets in 13 matches.
Bowlers:
Sophie Ecclestone
Ecclestone continues to be one of the best spinners in world cricket. The 25-year-old English star has been a standout performer for UP Warriorz, claiming 27 wickets in 17 WPL matches at an average of 16.37, with the best of 4/13. Her T20I record is just as impressive, with 137 wickets in 96 matches at an average of 15.24 and best figures of 4/18.
Alana King
King is another promising addition to the bowling lineup. She was the Player of the Series in the recently concluded Women’s Ashes after picking up a record 23 wickets across formats. While she has never played in the WPL before, she has extensive experience in the WBBL, having taken 126 wickets in 121 matches with the best of 5/16. Her T20I record for Australia includes 24 wickets in 25 matches, with best figures of 4/8.
Rajeshwari Gayakwad
Gayakwad, the seasoned left-arm spinner, brings a wealth of experience to the UP Warriorz squad. The 33-year-old Indian veteran has represented the national team in 58 T20Is. With 61 wickets at an impressive average of 19.13 and best figures of 3/9, she has delivered match-winning performances. Since the inception of the WPL, Gayakwad has been an integral member of the UP Warriorz setup. Across 16 matches, she has picked up 13 wickets, with her best bowling figures being 2/16.
With a mix of experienced campaigners and dynamic young talent, this clash between Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz promises to be an enthralling contest. Gujarat will be eager to bounce back after their opening defeat, while UP Warriorz will look to start their campaign on a high note.
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