UP Warriorz won the toss in Vadodara and, after a brief huddle, chose to chase against a Gujarat Giants side searching for a first victory in four outings. “It’s a little bit dewy already,” Meg Lanning remarked at the toss, a nod to the evening moisture that can make defending totals tricky under lights.
Key selections
• UPW kept faith with the XI that wrapped up the Navi Mumbai leg with successive wins, the five-day gap allowing a full refresh.
• Gujarat reacted to their three-match slide by recalling Danni Wyatt-Hodge for leg-spinning all-rounder Georgia Wareham. Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad also returned, replacing the wicketless Tanuja Kanwar.
Pitch and ground dimensions
Match three at Kotambi Stadium is being played on a fresh black-soil strip. Both square boundaries sit at 55 metres, the straight hit stretches to 66. The surface showed a spider’s web of cracks during inspection but was, in Mithali Raj’s words, “well-rolled, so the ball should skid on once the lights come on.”
Form guide
RCB defended a total here two nights ago; Delhi chased comfortably the following evening. That mixed record, plus the forecast dew, left Lanning leaning towards the safer option of bowling first.
Line-ups
Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney (wk), Sophie Devine, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Kanika Ahuja, Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Happy Kumari, Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
UP Warriorz: Meg Lanning (c), Kiran Navgire, Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Chloe Tryon, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud.
Early thoughts
On paper, Gujarat’s extra batting depth—Wyatt-Hodge at number three—aims to counter a UPW attack led by Ecclestone’s left-arm spin and the experienced seam of Pandey. Gardner’s choice of two specialist spinners hints at grip early on, but once the dew sets in it could be Ecclestone and Sobhana hunting with the slicker ball.
Whatever happens, both sides know a fuller length can disappear quickly here, especially square. Expect captains to juggle overs early and drag lengths back once the ball softens.
As Raj said during the pitch report, “If you read the conditions quickly, you’re in the game.” Tonight, the Warriorz have given themselves first crack at doing exactly that.
