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Key Takeaways
- 1📊 UP Warriorz won the toss and chose to bowl first
- 2🏆 Gujarat Giants face a must-win clash to stay in WPL 2026 playoff race
- 3💡 First DY Patil day game puts extra focus on reading conditions
- 4🔮 Warriorz’ strong overseas core could decide a tight playoff battle
"Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Deandra Dottin and Sophie Ecclestone made up UPW's overseas contingent"
UP Warriorz skipper Meg Lanning won the toss and chose to bowl first against Gujarat Giants in a crucial WPL 2026 afternoon clash at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, setting up a high-stakes chase in the playoff race.
Lanning backs her bowlers in first WPL 2026 day game
This is the first day game of the season at DY Patil, and UP Warriorz have read the conditions as one where their strong bowling unit, led by overseas stars Meg Lanning, Phoebe Litchfield, Deandra Dottin and Sophie Ecclestone, can dictate terms before unleashing their batters under a more settled pitch.
For Gujarat Giants, this fixture feels almost like an early knockout. Their playoff hopes hang in the balance, and a win here would keep them firmly in the hunt, while a defeat could leave them relying on other results. A solid start from their top order is non-negotiable, especially against the new-ball threat and the world-class left-arm spin of Sophie Ecclestone through the middle overs.
With Lanning’s tactical nous, Dottin’s X-factor and Ecclestone’s control, UP Warriorz will fancy chasing anything par. But if the Giants bat with intent and post a challenging total, this first daytime contest at DY Patil could quickly turn into a pressure cooker for both sides and the WPL playoff race.
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