Gujarat Giants Beat UP Warriorz By 10 Runs in WPL 2026; Ashleigh Gardner's Half-Century, Georgia Wareham's All-Round Performance Power GG-W to Victory

Captain Ashleigh Gardner led from the front as the Gujarat Giants held their nerve to defeat UP Warriorz by 10 runs in a high-scoring encounter at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy on Saturday, January 10, 2026.  Despite a blistering 78-run knock from UP’s Phoebe Litchfield, the Giants successfully defended their total of 207/4, the franchise’s highest-ever score in the WPL, to claim their first points of the season. The victory marks a successful debut for Gardner as the Giants’ full-time skipper, setting a competitive tone for the fourth edition of the tournament. WPL 2026: RCB's Pooja Vastrakar to Miss Women's Premier League for 2 Weeks Due to Hamstring Injury.

Gardner and Sharma Set the Foundation

After being put in to bat by UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning, the Giants overcame the early loss of opener Beth Mooney. Ashleigh Gardner dominated the middle overs, smashing 65 runs off 41 balls, including six boundaries and three sixes. Gardner found an ideal partner in debutant Anushka Sharma, who impressed with a composed 44 off 30 deliveries. The pair’s 103-run partnership for the third wicket stabilized the innings and provided the platform for a late-overs assault.

Late Fireworks Propel Giants Past 200

As the innings neared its end, Georgia Wareham and Bharti Fulmali provided a decisive "finishing kick." Wareham struck an unbeaten 27 off just 10 balls, while Fulmali added 14 off 7, helping the Giants plunder 34 runs in the final 13 balls of the innings. The flurry of boundaries proved crucial, as it pushed the target beyond the psychological 200-run barrier. Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the Warriorz bowlers, finishing with 2/32 amidst the heavy scoring.

Litchfield’s Heroics Fall Short

The UP Warriorz chase began poorly as Renuka Singh Thakur dismissed Kiran Navgire in the opening over. However, Meg Lanning (30) and Phoebe Litchfield stabilized the chase with a 73-run stand. Litchfield was particularly devastating, striking 78 off 40 balls with eight fours and five sixes, keeping the Warriorz ahead of the required run rate for much of the afternoon.

The momentum shifted when Wareham dismissed Lanning and Harleen Deol in the same over, triggering a mid-innings collapse from 73/1 to 74/4. Litchfield continued her lone crusade until she was caught in the 16th over, effectively ending the Warriorz’s realistic hopes. A spirited late cameo from Asha Sobhana (27* off 10) brought the gap down, but the Warriorz ultimately finished at 197/8. WPL 2026 Points Table Updated with Net Run Rate: Check Latest Team Standings and Leaderboard of Women’s Premier League T20 Tournament.

Looking Ahead

The result leaves both teams with clear takeaways early in the season. While the Giants will be buoyed by their batting depth and the form of their new captain, the Warriorz will look to address middle-order stability and bowling discipline before their next fixture. The Women's Premier League continues its opening week in Navi Mumbai, with all five teams competing for early dominance in the standings.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 10, 2026 06:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).