WPL 2023, UP-W vs GUJ-W: Preview, Prediction And Fantasy Tips
Gujarat Giants were drubbed by Mumbai Indians on Saturday [Source: Twitter]
On Sunday, UP Warriorz will begin their WPL 2023 campaign, taking on Gujarat Giants in the third fixture of the tournament. The game is scheduled at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.
Gujarat Giants had a forgettable start to their WPL 2023 journey, being crushed by the rampant Mumbai Indians by whopping 143 runs in the tournament opener.
While their bowlers went for plenty of runs on Mumbai's true deck, their batting unit fell like a pack of cards, failing to survive the sensational spell of Saikia Ishaque.
So, the Giants need to start from a scratch and assess their performance prior to this crucial clash. They must regroup and resolve their grey areas to come up with a rejuvenated performance in this encounter.
On the other hand, UP Warriorz assembled a formidable squad in the WPL 2023 auction and would like to make the most of it in their opening game.
While skipper Alyssa Healy will shoulder the batting responsibilities alongside the ever-reliant Tahlia McGrath and the destructive Grace Harris, the likes of Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya and Kiran Navgire are pretty much capable of scoring handy runs.
Their bowling unit looks equally robust, studded with tearaway Proteas quick Shabnim Ismail, the wily Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone, and promising seamers, Lauren Bell and Anjali Sarvani.
Thus, overall, they seem much stronger than their counterparts and will aim at beginning their WPL campaign on a winning note.
Match Details
Date and Time: March 5, 07.30 PM IST
Venue: DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai
Live Streaming: Jio Cinema and Sports18
Pitch Report: The surface in DY Patil Stadium will be favourable for batting, with even pace and bounce on it. However, the seamers will get decent help with the new ball. So, the batters must be cautious initially and later press the accelerator.
Probable XIs
If Gujarat Giants skipper Beth Mooney misses the game due to injury, English opener Sophia Dunkley might replace her, with Sushma Verma replacing one of the Indian players to don the keeper's gloves. If Mooney doesn't play, Sneh Rana will lead the Giants.
Gujarat Giants: Sophia Dunkley/Beth Mooney, S Meghana, Dayalan Hemalatha, Ashleigh Gardner, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Sneh Rana, Sushma Verma (WK)/Harleen Deol, Tanuja Kanwar, Mansi Joshi, Monica Patel
UP Warriorz: Alyssa Healy (C/WK), Shweta Sehrawat, Kiran Navgire, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Deepti Sharma, Devika Vaidya, Anjali Sarvani, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shabnim Ismail, S Yashasri/Parshavi Chopra
Cricket Exchange Fantasy Tips
Wicket-Keeper: Alyssa Healy
Batters: Tahlia McGrath, D Hemalatha, Shweta Sehrawat, Grace Harris/Sophia Dunkley
All-Rounders: Deepti Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner, Sneh Rana
Bowlers: Georgia Wareham, Anjali Sarvani/Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Shabnim Ismail
Captain: Deepti Sharma
Vice Captain: Alyssa Healy
For detailed fantasy analysis, click here.
Prediction
UP Warriorz look much more formidable than Gujarat Giants on paper and will emerge victorious in this face-off.