As the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 reaches its crescendo, the 20th match at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara features a high-stakes encounter between Delhi Capitals (DC) and UP Warriorz (UPW) this February 1. With the playoff race coming down to the wire, every tactical shift is under the microscope. However, the biggest talking point before the first ball was even bowled was the radical reshuffling of the UP Warriorz lineup, as three mainstays, Amy Jones, Chloe Tryon, and Shweta Sehrawat were noticeably absent from the playing XI.

Why Amy Jones, Chloe Tryon, and Shweta Sehrawat are missing the all-important WPL game?

The exclusion of Jones, Tryon, and Sehrawat isn’t due to injury but rather a strategic “all-or-nothing” gamble by the UP Warriorz management. Speaking at the toss, skipper Meg Lanning provided clarity, noting that while the team remains competitive, they chose to inject “fresh energy” into a squad that has struggled for consistency.

The Warriorz have opted to bring in Shipra Giri, Deandra Dottin, and Charli Knott to replace the trio. For Jones and Tryon, the decision appears to be a performance-based rotation. Despite their international pedigree, neither has managed to provide the explosive finishing the Warriorz desperately needed in their recent defeats. By bringing in the veteran Deandra Dottin—a player known for her “see ball, hit ball” philosophy—UPW is banking on raw power to overhaul their flagging Net Run Rate (NRR).

Sehrawat’s absence is equally tactical. The youngster has struggled to find her rhythm at the top of the order, and the promotion of Giri as the designated wicketkeeper-batter allows the team to balance their overseas slots more effectively. As Lanning explained during the toss, “We want to give people opportunities to see what they’ve got.” In a season where their backs are against the wall, the Warriorz have decided that sticking to the status quo was no longer an option.

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The battle to the eliminators between UP Warriorz and Delhi Capitals

The WPL 2026 table is currently a mathematical puzzle. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have already cruised into the finals and Gujarat Giants (GG) have secured their spot in the Eliminator, the third and final playoff berth is a three-way tug-of-war between Delhi Capitals, Mumbai Indians (MI), and UP Warriorz.

• Delhi Capitals: Their path is the most straightforward. If Jemimah Rodrigues’ side wins tonight, they move to 8 points, leapfrogging Mumbai Indians to claim the third spot. For them, it is a “win-and-in” scenario. A loss, however, leaves them stranded on 6 points with a negative NRR, likely handing the spot to Mumbai.
• UP Warriorz: The Warriorz are currently at the bottom of the table with 4 points and a dismal NRR of -1.146. For them to qualify, they don’t just need a win; they need a miracle. They must defeat Delhi by a margin of approximately 117 runs (assuming a first-innings score of 160) to swing their NRR ahead of both DC and MI.
• Mumbai Indians: The defending champions are the silent observers tonight. Sitting on 6 points with a positive NRR (+0.146), they need the Warriorz to win, but only by a small margin. If UPW wins narrowly, both DC and UPW will stay below Mumbai on the NRR ladder, allowing the champions to sneak into the playoffs.

Playing XI of both the teams

UP Warriorz Women: Meg Lanning (c), Simran Shaikh, Harleen Deol, Deepti Sharma, Shipra Giri (wk), Deandra Dottin, Charli Knott, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana Joy, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud

Delhi Capitals Women: Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.