WPL 2026: All Eyes On Meg Lanning As Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz Search For First Win
Defeats in the first two matches for the DC and the Warriorz have left them at the fourth and the fifth spot of the WPL points table respectively.
Delhi Capitals and UP Warriorz will be in search of their first win in the Women's Premier League 2026 when they face off at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday.
DC were beaten by 50 runs by Mumbai Indians in their season opener. That loss was followed by a narrow four-run defeat at the hands of Gujarat Giants.
The Warriorz's campaign also started on a disappointing note as they lost their first match by 10 runs against GG. Another defeat followed, this time by nine wickets, against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Defeats in the first two matches for the DC and the Warriorz have left them at the fourth and the fifth spot of the WPL points table respectively. The DC are ahead of the Warriorz on the points tally only because of their better net run rate.
When the two teams take the field tonight, the spotlight will be firmly on Meg Lanning. The Australian led the DC for the last three seasons, guiding the team to all three WPL finals so far — only for them to fall short on each occasion.
As a part of course correction, the DC released Lanning and made Jemimah Rodrigues the new skipper of the side. At the auction last year, Warriorz bought Lanning for Rs. 1.9 crore, aiming to bank on her experience. Lanning was made the captain ahead of the season.
Which team made a smarter move will be confirmed only during the later stages of the tournament. For now, the focus will squarely be on earning the first points of the season.
Even in losses the two teams would have drawn some positives.
Phobe Litchfield played a brilliant knock of 78 off 40 balls against the Giants that helped the Warriorz almost chase down a target of 208. Against RCB, the Warriorz were reduced to 50/5, but they steered themselves to a respectable 143/5, thanks to batting efforts of Deepti Sharma (45 in 35) and Deandra Dottin (40 in 37).
DC's overseas batters Chinelle Henry, Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt have struck half-centuries in the first two games. While the batters of the two sides have come up with good performances, it is the bowlers who have been missing in action. Whichever sides bowls well tonight, is likely to notch its first win of the season.
The match though will be played in an empty stadium as the civic polls are scheduled for Thursday.
WPL 2026 DC v UPW Possible Playing XI
Delhi Capitals: Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (capt), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, N Shree Charani, Nandani.
UP Warriorz: Kiran Navgire, Meg Lanning (capt), Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Shweta Sehrawat (wk), Deandra Dottin, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud.
Pitch
The bat has dominated the ball at DY Patil stadium so far in the league. Expect that trend to continue tonight.
DC vs UPW Head-to-Head
Delhi Capitals have beaten UP Warriorz in three of the last five games between these two sides. The Warriorz have notched victories in the other two games.
Form Guide
Delhi Capitals: L-L-L-L-W
UP Warriorz: L-L-W-L-L
Match time, Live Streaming, Telecast Details
Match gets underway at 7.30 pm IST. It will be streamed live on the JioHotstar app and website, while the live broadcast will be on the Star Sports television channels.
