UP Warriorz Women (UP-W) are set to face Delhi Capitals Women (DC-W) in the sixth match of the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL 2025) at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Wednesday, February 19.
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UP Warriorz Women vs Delhi Capitals Women: Match Preview
The Capitals’ formidable opening pair in the WPL has often masked their middle-order shortcomings, but recent performances have brought them under scrutiny. After nearly losing their season opener and suffering a heavy defeat to RCB, their middle-order (batters from No. 4 to 7) has emerged as a weak link, averaging just 21.97—the lowest in the league. Jess Jonassen (13), Marizanne Kapp (12), and Jemimah Rodrigues (12) have played the most innings in these spots.
In contrast, UP Warriorz boast the best average in these positions (28.44), thanks to the contributions of Deepti Sharma (14), Grace Harris (14), and Tahlia McGrath (9). Their willingness to experiment with five different opening partnerships across three seasons may have played a role in this stability. A stronger middle-order performance could be decisive in shaping the outcome of their upcoming clash, especially with the Warriorz still searching for their first win after falling to the Gujarat Giants.
Deepti Sharma is among just four players in the WPL to have surpassed 400 runs while also claiming 15 or more wickets. Saima Thakor, after recording her best ODI figures of 3 for 62 against Australia, has struggled for wickets, managing just one across her last nine appearances in various formats. She remained wicketless in the Warriorz’s opening game.
Both Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz have had unconvincing starts to WPL season three. While the Warriorz were convincingly beaten by Gujarat in their opener, the Capitals were dismantled by defending champions RCB on Monday (February 17). However, with a 3-1 head-to-head advantage, the Capitals have the statistical edge, although the Warriorz claimed a narrow victory in their last encounter in Delhi.
A shared concern for both teams early in the season has been the lack of middle-order runs. Apart from skipper Deepti Sharma’s 39, Warriorz’ key Australian all-rounders—Tahlia McGrath and Grace Harris—managed just four runs between them, while Shweta Sehrawat contributed 16. However, with only one match played, there is still room for improvement.
The Capitals, on the other hand, have faced dramatic collapses. Against MI, they crumbled from 60/1 to 109/5, and their struggles were even more pronounced against RCB, losing their last nine wickets for just 81 runs to be bowled out for 141. Skipper Meg Lanning and Shafali Verma—historically the tournament’s most prolific opening pair—will hope the middle order steps up to ease the burden on their shoulders.
Despite the Capitals’ struggles in their last outing, neither side is likely to make changes to their bowling attacks. With both teams failing to capitalize on the death overs, the battle may ultimately hinge on which middle order delivers under pressure as they look to wrap up their Vadodara leg on a high.
Meg Lanning, the tournament’s all-time leading run-scorer, has experienced a dip in T20 form, managing only three half-centuries (including one in the Hundred) and averaging 21.34 since the previous WPL.
UP Warriorz Women vs Delhi Capitals Women: Head-to-head
- Matches Played: 4
- Wins by UP Warriorz Women: 1
- Wins by Delhi Capitals Women: 3
- Tied Matches: 0
- No Result Matches: 0
- First-ever Fixture: March 7, 2023
- Most-recent Fixture: February 26, 2024
UP Warriorz Women vs Delhi Capitals Women: Pitch Report
Expect another batting-friendly pitch with plenty of runs on offer. Dew has been a consistent factor throughout the Vadodara leg of the WPL, making it likely that both teams will prefer to bowl first.
UP Warriorz Women vs Delhi Capitals Women: Team News and Predicted XI
UP Warriorz Women – Team News
The Warriorz might consider adding Poonam Khemnar to strengthen their lower middle-order hitting.
Anjali Sarvani could also be an option to introduce variety with her left-arm pace. However, unless they opt for that tactical change, they are expected to retain their current lineup for another match.
UP Warriorz Women – Predicted XI
- Kiran Navgire
- Vrinda Dinesh
- Uma Chetry (wk)
- Deepti Sharma (capt)
- Tahlia McGrath
- Grace Harris
- Shweta Sehrawat/Poonam Khemnar
- Alana King
- Sophie Ecclestone
- Saima Thakor
- Kranti Goud
Delhi Capitals Women – Team News
Delhi Capitals fielded their strongest lineup against RCB, with Jess Jonassen and Marizanne Kapp back to full fitness.
They are expected to stick with the same balanced setup, which provides batting depth all the way to No. 11.
Delhi Capitals Women – Predicted XI
- Meg Lanning (capt)
- Shafali Verma
- Jemimah Rodrigues
- Annabel Sutherland
- Marizanne Kapp
- Jess Jonassen
- Sarah Bryce (wk)
- Shikha Pandey
- Radha Yadav
- Arundhati Reddy
- Minnu Mani
UP Warriorz Women vs Delhi Capitals Women: Players To Watch Out For
Kiran Navgire (UP Warriorz Women)
Kiran Navgire thrives against spin in the WPL, boasting a strike rate of 156.84 against it (95 balls faced) compared to 106.50 against pace (123 balls). While pace has accounted for 22 of her dismissals, she has fallen to spin only five times.
Earlier this season, during her unbeaten 125 against Arunachal Pradesh in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, four of her five sixes came off spinners Shivi Yadav and Reetika Agarwal. Should the Warriorz consider moving Navgire to the middle order? Or, if she continues opening, should she look to survive the pacers and attack the spinners later?
Shikha Pandey (Delhi Capitals Women)
Left out of the Indian squad since the 2023 T20 World Cup, Shikha Pandey continues to shine in global T20 leagues. Following last year’s WPL, she featured in the Women’s Caribbean Premier League, Women’s Big Bash League, and Women’s Super Smash, collecting 25 wickets across these tournaments.
She has started WPL 2025 strongly, restricting MI in the opener and maintaining an economy of 6.75 against RCB despite a match run rate nearing nine. So far, she ranks as the third-most economical bowler in the tournament.
UP Warriorz Women vs Delhi Capitals Women: Match Prediction
Scenario 1
- Toss: UP Warriorz Women win the toss and opt to bowl
- Powerplay Score: 35-45
- Delhi Capitals Women Total: 150-160
- Match Result: UP Warriorz Women win the match
Scenario 2
- Toss: Delhi Capitals Women win the toss and bowl
- Powerplay Score: 45-55
- UP Warriorz Women Total: 170-180
- Match Result: Delhi Capitals Women win the match
When and Where To Watch UP Warriorz Women vs Delhi Capitals Women LIVE? Broadcast and Streaming Details
The Women’s Premier League 2025 clash between UP Warriorz Women and Delhi Capitals Women is set to begin at 7:30 PM IST on Wednesday, February 19, at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara, Gujarat. The match will be broadcast live on the Star Sports network and will also be available for live streaming on JioHotstar for FREE.
Read More: WPL 2025: Matthews, Sciver-Brunt Inspire Mumbai Indians’ First Victory In WPL Against Giants
FAQs
Who has the lowest middle-order batting average in WPL 2025?
Delhi Capitals have the lowest middle-order average (21.97), with Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, and Jemimah Rodrigues batting the most in these positions.
Which team has the best middle-order average in WPL 2025?
UP Warriorz lead with a middle-order average of 28.44, thanks to contributions from Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris, and Tahlia McGrath.
How has Meg Lanning performed in T20s since WPL 2024?
Lanning has struggled, averaging 21.34 with just three half-centuries across formats.
Why is Kiran Navgire more effective against spin than pace?
She strikes at 156.84 against spin but only 106.50 against pace and has been dismissed 22 times by pacers compared to just five times by spinners.
What is Shikha Pandey’s impact in WPL 2025 so far?
She has been the third-most economical bowler, conceding just 6.75 runs per over, despite high-scoring matches.
