UPW-W vs DC-W Fantasy Cricket Picks
Both UP Warriorz Women and Delhi Capitals Women enter this crucial encounter winless and occupying the bottom two positions of the Women’s Premier League points table, making this a must-win fixture for both sides. Scheduled for 7:30 PM IST at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, the match carries significant implications for their tournament campaigns.
Match Overview
UP Warriorz Women and Delhi Capitals Women face off in a pivotal WPL 2026 encounter where both teams desperately need their first victory of the season. After two consecutive defeats each, another loss would place either team in must-win territory for the remainder of the tournament. Delhi Capitals are led by new captain Jemimah Rodrigues, while Meg Lanning has taken charge of UP Warriorz after leaving Delhi Capitals following three seasons.
Match Context
Delhi Capitals began poorly with a loss to Mumbai Indians but bounced back strongly against Gujarat Giants, nearly completing a 210-run chase with seven wickets remaining in the final over. UP Warriorz, meanwhile, suffered a nine-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru after posting just 143 runs in their first innings.
Key Performance Concerns
Both teams share a critical vulnerability: their bowling attacks have been the most expensive in the tournament. UP Warriorz’s economy rate stands at 10.94, closely followed by Delhi Capitals’ 10.1 overs. For UP Warriorz, medium-pacer Deandra Dottin (15.80) and legspinner Asha Sobhana (13.25) have particularly struggled, raising concerns about potential lineup changes if performances don’t improve.
Players in Spotlight
Nandani Sharma has emerged as a standout performer for Delhi Capitals. The 24-year-old medium-pacer took two wickets on her WPL debut, followed by a historic five-wicket haul including a hat-trick against Gujarat Giants. Her ability to excel under pressure and strike in death overs makes her a crucial fantasy pick.
Harleen Deol represents a potential game-changer for UP Warriorz. Despite her stature as an experienced Indian batter, her scores haven’t reflected her quality, and she’s batted in multiple positions. A strong performance from Deol could significantly impact her team’s fortunes.
Probable Playing XI
UP Warriorz (probable): 1 Kiran Navgire, 2 Meg Lanning (captain), 3 Phoebe Litchfield, 4 Harleen Deol, 5 Shweta Sehrawat (wicketkeeper), 6 Deandra Dottin, 7 Deepti Sharma, 8 Sophie Ecclestone, 9 Asha Sobhana, 10 Shikha Pandey, 11 Kranti Gaud
Delhi Capitals (likely): Expected to field an unchanged XI following their near-perfect performance against Gujarat Giants, with the potential inclusion of 16-year-old batter Deeya Yadav if there are adjustments.
Match Prediction
Delhi Capitals will start as clear favourites to win this encounter. In head-to-head clashes, Delhi Capitals Women have dominated with three victories compared to UP Warriorz’s two wins. However, both teams are evenly matched in terms of current form and pressing need for victory. Analysts predict that the team bowling first will likely win due to evening dew conditions at the venue, which traditionally settles in during the second innings, making conditions more favourable for batting and causing difficulties for spinners.
Expected Scenarios
If Delhi Capitals bowl first: UP Warriorz powerplay score anticipated at 50-55 runs (6 overs) with a probable total of 170-180.
If UP Warriorz bowl first: Delhi Capitals powerplay score expected at 45-50 runs (6 overs) with a probable total of 160-170.
Key Fantasy Considerations
Historic Head-to-Head Insight: Deandra Dottin has dominated her T20 league encounters against Lizelle Lee, dismissing her in all four meetings across the WBBL and Kia Super League. This suggests Dottin’s strike bowling could be crucial despite her recent economy rate concerns.
Pitch Report
The DY Patil Stadium has hosted high-scoring matches in WPL 2026, with the 200-run mark breached twice in five matches before this fixture. Teams bowling first have won 3 of the last 5 matches at this venue, reinforcing the toss advantage for bowling. Evening temperatures are expected in the mid to early-20s, with evening dew anticipated to favour the chasing team significantly.
Team Form and Balance
Delhi Capitals demonstrate better overall balance compared to UP Warriorz, despite both struggling in recent matches. Up Warriorz’s reliance on overseas players and Deepti Sharma continues as the trend this season, with Indian batters needing to step up.
Venue Statistics
The DY Patil Sports Academy has proven to be a high-scoring ground, with winning teams often being those who have batted second and benefited from improved dew conditions.
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Fantasy Captain/Vice-Captain Suggestions
Captain: Nandani Sharma (exceptional wicket-taking ability, strong recent form with hat-trick and five-wicket haul)
Vice-Captain: Deepti Sharma (all-rounder stability) or Meg Lanning (experienced overseas player in good form)
Fantasy Team Structure
Prioritize recent form indicators and ground-specific performance. Include Nandani Sharma as a premium pick despite her recent inclusion in the league. Balance overseas and Indian players, with particular attention to those likely to be unaffected by the evening dew conditions on pitching and wicket-keeping duties.
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Disclaimer: This analysis is based on publicly available match data and expert predictions as of January 14, 2026. Fantasy cricket outcomes depend on numerous unpredictable variables including player performance on the day, unexpected team changes, pitch conditions, and weather. Please conduct your own research and exercise caution when making fantasy cricket selections. Past performance and predictions do not guarantee future results.
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