UP Warriorz (UPW) are still searching for their first win in WPL 2025 under new captain Deepti Sharma. They face Delhi Capitals (DC) today at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, hoping to break their losing streak. In the reverse fixture, DC defeated UPW, and another loss today would give DC a league double over them. UPW players must step up to avoid that.
Chinnaswamy – A tough venue for UP Warriorz
UPW has struggled at the Chinnaswamy Stadium. They have played five matches here, winning only two and losing three. All these games were in the last season, including a defeat against DC. With a 4-1 head-to-head advantage, DC are favourites again. Another loss could seriously damage UPW’s playoff chances.
Tahlia McGrath’s struggles this season
One of the biggest concerns for UPW has been Tahlia McGrath’s poor form. So far, she has managed just one run and one wicket in two matches. This is a steep decline from her brilliant WPL 2023, when she scored 302 runs in eight innings at an average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 158.11, along with two wickets in three innings.
However, she had a disappointing WPL 2024, managing just 27 runs in four innings while taking one wicket in three innings. Despite that, UPW backed her for this season, but she has yet to repay their faith.
Chinelle Henry’s impact – A threat to McGrath’s place?
With Alyssa Healy unavailable, UPW started the season with Sophie Ecclestone, Alana King, Grace Harris, and McGrath as their overseas players. In the last game, they dropped King and brought in Chinelle Henry, who impressed with a quickfire 33* off 15 balls. She also bowled three overs, though she went wicketless for 26 runs. Henry arrived as Healy’s replacement but made an immediate impact, raising questions about McGrath’s place in the team.
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Henry is a like-for-like replacement for McGrath as an all-rounder. In fact, as a bowler, Henry offers more pace, which UPW lacks. If the team decides to play both Ecclestone and King, especially going forward into the Lucknow leg, McGrath could lose her spot to Henry. Time is running out for the Aussie all-rounder, and today’s match against DC might be one of her last chances to prove herself.
McGrath’s weakness against Spin
Chinnaswamy has not been a good venue for McGrath. In three WPL matches here, she has scored just 24 runs and taken one wicket. Her struggles against spin are also a growing concern. In her last six T20 dismissals, five have been against spinners, particularly leg-spinners and left-arm orthodox bowlers.
Last season at this venue, she was dismissed by RCB’s Asha Sobhana. This year, she has already fallen to Priya Mishra (GG) and Jess Jonassen (DC). With Jonassen in DC’s lineup again, Meg Lanning will likely target McGrath’s weakness.
Marizanne Kapp – Another major challenge
It is not just spin that troubles McGrath. Marizanne Kapp has dismissed her six times in 29 T20 games, more than any other bowler. Last year at this venue, Kapp won the Player of the Match with a brilliant three-wicket haul vs UPW, and McGrath was one of her victims.
Hence, despite DC being one of her favourite opponents (has scored 153 runs in five innings, average 51 and, a strike rate of 153.00, including a highest score of 90*), McGrath has a lot to overcome today. Another failure could not only hurt UPW’s campaign but could also see her dropped from the playing XI for future matches.
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