The 15th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 is set to be a thrilling showdown as hosts UP Warriorz (UPW) lock horns with Gujarat Giants (GG). The game will take place at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on March 3 at 7:30 PM IST. Significantly, this marks the first game of the tournament’s Lucknow leg.
Both teams have endured a mixed campaign so far, with two wins from five matches each. UPW currently occupies the third spot, while GG finds itself at the bottom of the standings due to an inferior net run rate. UP Warriorz will be looking to bounce back after their recent defeat to Mumbai Indians, whereas Gujarat Giants will be keen to build momentum following their victory over RCB.
Squads:
UP Warriorz
Deepti Sharma (C), Uma Chetry (WK), Chinelle Henry, Poonam Khamnar, Kiran Navgire, Dinesh Vrinda, Chamari Athapaththu, Grace Harris, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Shweta Sehrawat, Anjali Sarvani, Sophie Ecclestone, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Saima Thakor, Arushi Goel, Kranti Goud, Gouher Sultana
Gujarat Giants
Ashleigh Gardner (C), Harleen Deol, Prakashika Naik, Beth Mooney, Kashvee Gautam, Priya Mishra, Bharti Fulmali, Laura Wolvaardt, Sayali Satchare, Danielle Gibson, Mannat Kashyap, Shabnam Shakil, Dayalan Hemalatha, Meghna Singh, Simran Shaikh, Deandra Dottin, Phoebe Litchfield, Tanuja Kanwer
Players to watch out:
Deepti Sharma
The UPW skipper has led from the front with her all-round performances. She kicked off the season with a 39 off 27 balls and has been consistently contributing with the ball, picking up 1/27, 1/25, and 1/42 against RCB, where she also chipped in with a handy 25 runs. She followed it up with a 1/25 spell against MI.
Sophie Ecclestone
One of the most impactful bowlers of the tournament, Ecclestone has been a game-changer with both bat and ball. She has delivered impressive spells of 2/16, 1/31, and 0/28, along with a match-winning 33 off 19 balls. Her ability to handle pressure was on full display when she defended 8 runs in a Super Over. Against MI, she picked up 1/29, dismissing Hayley Matthews.
Beth Mooney
The Gujarat Giants captain started the season with a fluent 56 off 42 against RCB, but her form has dipped since, registering scores of 0, 1, 10, and 17 in her last four outings. She will be eager to rediscover her rhythm and play a pivotal role for her side.
Priya Mishra
A promising young spinner, Priya Mishra had a modest debut against RCB, conceding 29 runs in 3 overs without a wicket. However, she made a strong comeback with a match-winning 3/25 against UPW, claiming the prized scalps of Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris, and Tahlia McGrath. Since then, she has continued to impress, delivering figures of 2/40 against MI and a tight 0/18 against RCB.
Pitch:
The Ekana Cricket Stadium surface is known for offering a balanced contest between bat and ball. Spinners are expected to play a significant role, while batters will need to apply themselves to score big. The average first-innings total at this venue is 120, and captains winning the toss have often opted to bowl first.
Weather:
Lucknow will witness clear skies, making for ideal playing conditions. The temperature will range between 29°C (max) and 17°C (min), with humidity at 48% and wind speeds around 21 kph.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Beth Mooney, Grace Harris, Kashvee Gautam, Deepti Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner, Chinelle Henry, Deandra Dottin, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Ecclestone, Tanuja Kanwer, Priya Mishra
Match details:
Date – March 3, 2025
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Broadcast – Live streaming on Jio Hotstar; Telecast on Star Sports Network
Loves all things female cricket
