UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants Players, Squads, Records

The duel between two of the most resourceful and demanding franchises of the Women’s Premier League cannot be missed by cricket fans. The rivalry between UP Warriors and Gujarat Giants (WPL) players has been so well balanced that it eventually became one of the fiercest rivalries in the league. Both teams happen to be the only franchises in the WPL that have yet to go to a final, which makes every match a high pressure one. Be it at the level of bench strength, player vs player comparisons or the constantly changing face to face record, this match is always worth watching.

A Rivalry Built on Even Ground

UP Warriors and Gujarat Giants have clashed against each other 8 times up to the first 4 WPL seasons. Their head to head record is perfectly balanced, with both teams having won 4 matches each. This level of equality alone shows how competitive this fixture is.

UP Warriors completely outplayed Gujarat in their encounters during the 2023 WPL season by winning both matches of the group stage by 3 wickets. Those results were instrumental in UP Warriors qualifying for the playoffs, although their journey ended when they were defeated by Mumbai Indians in the Eliminator. Gujarat came out of that season as number 5, but the rivalry had already taken form.

As of WPL 2024, Gujarat Giants started to develop their game. UP Warriorz clinched a 6 wicket win for the first game of that season, thereby extending their winning streak to 4 matches against the Giants. Yet, Gujarat responded with a second win of the season by 8 runs, heralding a new era of rivalry.

The pendulum swing in favor of the other team was the case in WPL 2025. After a 6 wicket victory in Vadodara, Gujarat Giants managed to get the first game between the two teams of the season. In a Super Over, UP Warriors were eliminated by Royal Challengers Bengaluru and eventually last in the tournament whereas Gujarat finished third with their best result so far.

The WPL 2026 didn’t take away their rivalry. During their first face off in Navi Mumbai, Gujarat Giants kept the upper hand with a 10 run victory in a nail biting chase that was decided on the last ball. But, UP Warriors turned the tables by winning the subsequent match of the season. The UP Warriorz players of Gujarat Giants (WPL) saga continues to evolve and become more complex with each new edition.

UP Warriorz Players

The UP Warriors came into WPL 2026 with Australian cricket icon Meg Lanning at the helm as captain. She took over from Deepti Sharma after the team underwent a major transformation through the mega auction in November 2025. The Warriorz came out of the auction with a very strong bowling line up, maybe one of the best in the entire tournament.

Meg Lanning (Captain): Lanning is clearly one of the best batters in the history of women’s cricket. And scoring runs, she brings calmness, a lot of experience, and the ability to understand and read the game from the middle order. Also, her captaincy is a great addition which was lacking to the UP Warriorz team previously.

Sophie Ecclestone: The left arm spinner from England is arguably the most valuable player of UP Warriorz in the games versus Gujarat Giants only situation. The GG batsmen find it hard to face Ecology as evidenced by 15 wickets taken by her in their meeting in WPL so far, keeping an economy rate of 6. 85. Her knack for not only restricting the scoring rate but also getting the strike when needed makes her a very difficult bowler for any batting line up to deal with.

Deepti Sharma: The experienced Indian player is a very handy off break bowler. She also helps the team’s cause by scoring runs from the lower order. Deepti, with her bat or ball, is always playing an important role in the UP Warriorz overall strategy against any opponent.

Phoebe Litchfield: The Aussie youngster made a loud statement to the WPL crowd in WPL 2026. In the match against Gujarat Giants at Navi Mumbai, she scored a quick fire 78 off only 40 balls in the run chase of 208 which nearly brought back an impossible win for UP Warriors.

Kiran Navgire: This is one hit batter from the Indian domestic circuit who is known for her fearless and fearless attitude. Navgire not only makes a great impact when opening the batting but she can also very easily kick start the scoring during the powerplay.

Besides these players, Deandra Dottin and Shikha Pandey offer real pace bowling options in the UP Warriorz bowling attack, and leg spinner Asha Sobhana completes a diverse and skillful bowling unit.

Gujarat Giants Players

The Gujarat Giants have greatly improved their performance in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) since their tough first two seasons. By the years 2025 and 2026, they had become a well rounded team featuring world class foreign players alongside increasingly better Indian performers.

Ashleigh Gardner (Captain): In the UP Warriors vs Gujarat Giants (WPL) players rivalry, Gardner has been the highest run scorer. In the last seven matches between the two teams, the Australian all rounder has amassed 258 runs, averaging 36. 85 with a strike rate in excess of 153. Her very aggressive batting style coupled with her off spin bowling makes her one of the most valuable players in the entire WPL, and she leads Gujarat Giants’ batting lineup confidently.

Beth Mooney: The Australian wicketkeeper batsman sets the innings powerfully at the top and is also the record holder for the highest single score in this head to head fixture scoring an unbeaten 96 off 59 balls at WPL 2025. Mooney is a very consistent player and is capable of holding the innings for a long time which make her a crucial part of Gujarat Giants’ batting at the top.

Sophie Devine: Devine was a spectacular performer for Gujarat Giants in the WPL season of 2026. The captain of New Zealand was awarded the Player of the Series for the whole tournament, having taken 17 wickets, while also scoring useful runs which made her one of the top performers in the UP Warriors vs Gujarat Giants (WPL) players matchup.

Renuka Singh Thakur: The India pace bowler is the main opening bowler for Gujarat who can pose a threat to the opposition batters right from the start. She is capable of swinging the ball both ways and the bounce she gets even at pace is quite unplayable at times which makes opening with an aggressive spell a strength for Gujarat Giants.

Kashvee Gautam: This young Indian pacer was the most effective bowler in this direct clash between the teams fascinatingly, she took 3/11 against UP Warriors in 2025 at Lucknow. Besides raw speed, she also has great control, which is lethal for any batting team on turning wickets.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad: The seasoned left arm spinner is an important element in the middle overs and, together with pace bowlers, she adds variety to Gujarat’s bowling attack.

Key Player Battles to Watch

A lot of the time when UP Warriors and Gujarat Giants play, the outcome of the match is decided by a handful of individual performances.

There is probably no duel more captivating than Sophie Ecclestone vs Ashleigh Gardner in this fixture. Ecclestone’s left arm spin as a counter to Gardner’s aggressive off side hitting is a clash of discipline vs power. Usually the match is turned by the player who wins the battle.

Phoebe Litchfield vs Renuka Singh is a Like that interesting matchup. Litchfield’s powerful hitting in the powerplay is challenged by Renuka’s ability to move the ball and pace off the pitch an aggressive opener vs a skillful new ball bowler duel.

Deepti Sharma vs Beth Mooney is a slow, mentally challenging duel. Deepti’s off spin plus varying tempo versus Mooney’s steady batting form a test of intelligence that is most times played out during the middle overs.

Why This Fixture Matters Going Forward?

Both UP Warriors and Gujarat Giants have their eyes on making it to their first WPL final. As other teams in the league evolve around them, these two franchises are under increasing pressure to perform and succeed. Every time these two teams face each other, it is not just another match in the group stage but a test of how much either team has developed to be able to compete with the top teams of the league.

The UP Warriorz vs Gujarat Giants (WPL) players’ contest will always have this underlying theme. Is the spin heavy bowling attack of UP capable of restricting the power hitting of Gujarat? Will the overseas core of Gujarat be able to defeat the Warriorz lineup which is a blend of seasoned players and young Indian talent?

Final Thoughts

The rivalry between UP Warriors and Gujarat Giants (WPL players) is one of the Women’s Premier League’s most captivating angles. With an evenly split head to head record, exceptional players on both sides, and two teams that are equally determined to win their first title, it is a match that can turn into one of the highlights as the WPL moves ahead. Whether it is the bowling excellence of Sophie Ecclestone, the power hitting of Phoebe Litchfield, the all round supremacy of Ashleigh Gardner, or the steady grace of Beth Mooney that gets you going, such a match is always exciting.