Why is Kim Garth Not Playing Today match in GG vs UPW WPL 2026?

Gujarat Giants and UP Warriorz are clashing against each other in the second match of the ongoing Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026. The GG vs UPW WPL 2026 contest is taking place at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai.

UP Warriorz won the toss and opted to bowl first. However, fans were surprised when it came to their knowledge that one of the best WPL all-rounder, Kim Garth, wasn't included in the playing 11.

Why is Kim Garth Not Playing Today match in GG vs UPW WPL 2026?

Kim Garth is a known medium-pace bowling all-rounder; however, Gujarat Giants skipper Ashleigh Gardner opted to go without her. Interestingly, there are no reports regarding any injury. The reason behind Garth's exclusion can be the team combination.

Gujarat have a lot of all-round options, and Kim Garth is one of them, but she's more of a bowling all-rounder, and considering that they went with Georgia Wareham instead, who can contribute more with the bat and come in handy with her leg-spin as well. Also, the surface in Navi Mumbai majorly favours spinners, so Wareham can be said to be Kim Garth replacement.

Kim Garth Stats in Women's Premier League

Kim Garth's stats in the Women's Premier League are enough to tell how dangerous she can be with the ball. She has appeared in 15 matches across the two seasons in 2023 and 2025. In those two seasons, Garth has played 15 matches and taken 19 wickets at an average of 22.89 with best bowling figures of 5/36. Her contribution with the bat is not as impactful as it has been with the ball. Across the two seasons, Garth has managed to score only 71 runs at a strike rate of just 89.87.

Garth didn't play the 2024 WPL season. If she had played in the second edition as well, her wicket tally would've been even bigger. Talking about her stats in WT20Is, Garth proves why she is considered one of the most experienced all-rounders. She has played 61 WT20Is matches so far in her career and has taken 49 wickets at an average of 23.06, but has scored only 764 runs at a strike rate of just 78.92.