The 20th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 sets up a high stakes clash at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, on February 1 at 7:30 PM IST, as Delhi Capitals face UP Warriorz in a virtual knockout. Delhi come into this contest after a heartbreaking three-run defeat to Gujarat Giants, a result that has left their playoff hopes hanging by a thread and made this a must win encounter. UP Warriorz, meanwhile, also faced an eight-wicket loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru and will be desperate to finish their league campaign on a strong note. With Delhi Capitals’ qualification scenario on the line and UP eager to play party spoilers, fans can expect a fiercely contested battle under lights in Vadodara.
Squads:
Delhi Capitals’ Women’s Cricket Team
Alana King, Chinelle Henry, Deeya Yadav, Jemimah Rodrigues, Laura Wolvaardt, Lizelle Lee, Lucy Hamilton, Mamatha Madiwala, Marizanne Kapp, Minu Mani, Nandini Sharma, Niki Prasad, Shafali Verma, Sneh Rana, Shree Charani, Taniya Bhatia
UP Warriorz Women’s Cricket Team
Meg Lanning, Harleen Deol, Deandra Dottin, Sophie Ecclestone, Kranti Goud, Shipra Giri, Charli Knott, Amy Jones, Suman Meena, Kiran Navgire, Shikha Pandey, Pratika Rawal, Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Simran Shaikh, Trisha Gongadi, Chloe Tryon, Asha Sobhana
Players to watch out:
Niki Prasad
Niki Prasad has been one of the bright young sparks for Delhi this season and will again be crucial in this must-win clash. The 20-year-old right-hand batter has featured in 15 WPL matches, scoring 149 runs at a strike rate of 122, often providing important middle order stability. In Delhi’s last outing against Gujarat, she provided a crucial 47, nearly dragging her side over the line in a tense chase. With Delhi’s campaign on the edge, Prasad’s ability to rotate strike and accelerate at the death could prove decisive.
Laura Wolvaardt
Laura Wolvaardt’s blend of timing and temperament makes her a key pillar at the top for Delhi. Across 85 WT20Is, she has scored 2,225 runs at a strike rate of 117, while in the WPL she has amassed 536 runs in 20 matches at a strike rate of 127, underlining her adaptability in Indian conditions. She has found decent touch in recent games, scoring 24 against Gujarat after an unbeaten 42 against RCB, anchoring the innings and allowing stroke makers around her to play freely.
Meg Lanning
Meg Lanning remains one of the most formidable top order batters in the women’s game and a major threat to Delhi’s playoff dreams. The Australian great has piled up 3,405 runs in 132 WT20Is at a strike rate of 116, while her WPL record stands at 1,200 runs in 34 matches at a strike rate of 126, reflecting remarkable consistency. She comes into this contest on the back of a composed 41 against RCB and, notably, scored 54 the last time she faced Delhi, dictating terms in the powerplay.
Deepti Sharma
Deepti Sharma offers an all-round impact that could tilt the game in UP’s favour. In 133 WT20Is, she has contributed 1,107 runs and taken 152 wickets, underlining her status as one of the premier spin bowling all-rounders in the world. Her WPL numbers are equally impressive, with 614 runs and 32 wickets in 32 matches, making her a genuine dual asset player in any conditions. Deepti was in fine touch in the recent fixture against RCB, scoring a resilient 55, and the last time she met Delhi, she picked up two vital wickets to stall their momentum.
Pitch:
Kotambi Stadium offers a batting-friendly surface that rewards stroke-makers, particularly as the match progresses. The pitch provides a solid base early on, allowing batters to play through the line, and under lights it tends to become even more conducive to stroke-play. Bowlers, especially pacers, may struggle to contain runs if they miss their lengths, placing a premium on variations and disciplined spin.
Weather:
Vadodara is expected to witness mostly clear to slightly cloudy conditions, with temperatures ranging between 19°C and 31°C. The chance of precipitation sits around 10%, with humidity near 44% and light winds of about 6 kph.
Fantasy Playing XI:
Laura Wolvaardt, Meg Lanning, Shafali Verma, Niki Prasad, Chloe Tryon, Deepti Sharma, Marizanne Kapp, Sophie Ecclestone, Sneh Rana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Goud
Match Details:
Date – February 1, 2026
Time – 7:30 PM IST
Venue – Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara
Broadcast – Telecast on Star Sports Network | Streaming on JioCinema/Hotstar (India)
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