WPL 2024/25, GG-W vs UPW-W 3rd Match Match Preview

WPL 2024/25, GG-W vs UPW-W 3rd Match Match Preview

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On February 16, 2025, the Gujarat Giants will face the UP Warriorz at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara. Both teams struggle with inexperienced Indian players. The Giants recently lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, revealing their dependence on overseas talent, particularly Ash Gardner and Beth Mooney. They aim to improve their bowling attack. The Warriorz, led by Deepti Sharma, will open their campaign with plans to capitalize on the Giants’ weaknesses, though they too have inexperience aside from Deepti. Key players to watch include Simran Shaikh, a major auction buy for the Giants, and Sophie Ecclestone, the top wicket-taker in the WPL.

Who is competing

Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz
Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, February 16, 2025, 7.30pm IST

What to anticipate: Teams with novice Indian players

A total score of 201 wasn’t sufficient for the Gujarat Giants to secure a win in their previous match. Their six-wicket defeat to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru revealed their dependence on four overseas recruits. Captain Ash Gardner contributed significantly with both bat and ball, while Beth Mooney added a fifty to the tally. A persistent concern over the past two seasons—the lack of experience in their bowling lineup—remains an unresolved issue. If the Giants want to prevent their campaign from faltering, their Indian players must rise to the occasion.

On the other hand, Deepti Sharma’s UP Warriorz will kick off their campaign on Sunday, coming in with distinct strategies to take advantage of the Giants’ vulnerabilities. However, do the Warriorz face a similar dilemma as the Giants? Beyond Deepti, the rest of the Indian contingent lacks experience.

Team updates and potential line-ups: Athapaththu to open for UPW?

With Alyssa Healy unavailable, Chamari Athapaththu, who participated in only four matches last season, is anticipated to open the innings alongside Vrinda Dinesh. They also have Alana King, who has been in excellent bowling form lately, available, but Sophie Ecclestone, a standout performer for the Warriorz over the last two seasons, is likely to start ahead of King.

UP Warriorz (expected): 1 Chamari Athapaththu, 2 Vrinda Dinesh, 3 Kiran Navgire, 4 Grace Harris, 5 Tahlia McGrath, 6 Deepti Sharma (capt), 7 Uma Chetry (wk), 8 Sophie Ecclestone, 9 Anjali Sarvani/Kranti Goud, 10 Saima Thakor, 11 Rajeshwari Gayakwad/Gouher Sultana

The Giants awarded West Indies allrounder Deandra Dottin her first cap on Friday. Other newcomers like legspinner Priya Mishra, batter Simran Shaikh, and seamer Sayali Satghare also debuted in the WPL 2025 opener. The Giants are unlikely to make any adjustments and will aim to provide their younger players with ample opportunity.

Gujarat Giants (expected): 1 Laura Wolvaardt, 2 Beth Mooney (wk), 3 Dayalan Hemalatha, 4 Ashleigh Gardner (capt), 5 Deandra Dottin, 6 Harleen Deol, 7 Simran Shaikh, 8 Tanuja Kanwar, 9 Sayali Satghare, 10 Priya Mishra, 11 Kashvee Gautam

Key players to follow: Simran Shaikh and Sophie Ecclestone

Simran Shaikh was the most expensive acquisition during the auction, with the Giants investing INR 1.9 crore on her, as head coach Michael Klinger noted she was recruited to “hit sixes immediately.” She made a mark by showcasing her potential in the middle order during the match against RCB, striking a four followed by an audacious six over extra-cover during her five-ball stint in the 19th over off Georgia Wareham.
Sophie Ecclestone currently leads the WPL in wickets, having taken 27 in 17 innings. She recently delivered strong performances in the Women’s Ashes, despite the English team not securing any wins throughout the series. Ecclestone shone in both encounters against the Giants last year, particularly in the first match in Bengaluru, where she dismissed Mooney, Laura Wolvaardt, and Gardner, finishing with remarkable figures of 3 for 20.

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