UP Warriorz finally got their campaign up and running in the Women’s Premier League 2026, registering their first victory of the season after three consecutive losses with a composed seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai..
In a high-quality chase that showcased calm decision-making under pressure, Harleen Deol emerged as the undisputed star, anchoring the innings with a superb unbeaten 64 off 39 balls to earn the Player of the Match award. Chasing 162 for victory after Mumbai Indians posted 161/5, UP Warriorz approached the task with clarity and intent, never allowing the required run rate to spiral out of control. The win not only lifted them off the bottom of the table but also restored belief in a side that had struggled to close out matches earlier in the tournament.
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Mumbai Indians, coming into the contest on the back of two wins, looked to consolidate their strong start. Openers Amanjot Kaur and G Kamalini negotiated the new ball cautiously, laying a steady foundation in the powerplay. Amanjot, in particular, played a fluent knock, scoring 38 off 33 deliveries, rotating strike effectively while picking up boundaries when offered width.
The innings truly took shape after Natalie Sciver-Brunt arrived at the crease. The England all-rounder once again underlined her class with a well-paced 65, holding the innings together as wickets fell around her. She combined power with placement, targeting both spin and pace, and ensured Mumbai maintained momentum through the middle overs.
Late impetus came from Nicola Carey, who provided valuable acceleration at the death with an unbeaten 32 off 20 balls. Mumbai collected crucial runs in the final three overs to push past the 160 mark, a total that looked competitive on a surface offering value for shots but still demanding discipline.
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For UP Warriorz, the bowling effort was largely controlled without being spectacular. They managed to avoid a late collapse but did concede a few expensive overs at the back end, leaving themselves a challenging but achievable chase.
Early Stability, Then Harleen Takes Charge
UP Warriorz began their reply with intent but without undue risk. Meg Lanning and Kiran Navgire ensured a steady start, focusing on strike rotation and capitalizing on loose deliveries. However, Mumbai struck twice in quick succession, with Natalie Sciver-Brunt removing both openers inside the powerplay to briefly tilt the contest back in MI’s favor.
At 42/2, the pressure was firmly on the Warriorz. That was when Harleen Deol took control of the chase, crafting an innings that blended elegance with authority. She found early boundaries against pace, driving confidently through the off side, before adjusting seamlessly to spin.
Harleen’s partnership with Phoebe Litchfield proved crucial. Litchfield played the aggressor’s role, striking 25 and even taking on Amelia Kerr with a clean six, which helped keep the asking rate manageable. When Litchfield fell in the 15th over, the equation was still delicate, but Harleen’s composure ensured there was no panic.
Chloe Tryon Finishes the Job
With Harleen well set, Chloe Tryon provided the perfect finishing touch. The South African all-rounder launched into the Mumbai attack in the final overs, targeting Triveni Vasistha and Melie Kerr with clean, powerful strokes. Her back-to-back boundaries and a towering six in the 18th over effectively sealed the contest.
The winning moment arrived at 18.2 overs, when a wide delivery from Sajana Sajeevan resulted in a misfield, allowing the final run to be completed. UP Warriorz reached 162/3, sealing victory with 11 balls to spare.
Harleen remained unbeaten on 64, an innings defined by intelligent shot selection, sharp running, and timely boundary-hitting. It was a knock that not only anchored the chase but also exemplified leadership at a crucial juncture in the tournament.
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For Mumbai Indians, Natalie Sciver-Brunt was the standout performer once again, contributing with both bat and ball, including two important wickets. However, the bowling unit struggled to apply sustained pressure in the middle and death overs, allowing UP Warriorz to dictate the tempo of the chase.
For UP Warriorz, this victory could prove season-defining. After three narrow defeats, they finally delivered a complete performance—controlled bowling, a calm chase, and a match-winning individual effort. Harleen Deol’s innings was not just a statistical highlight, but a statement of intent as the tournament moves deeper into its league phase.
With confidence restored and momentum on their side, UP Warriorz will look to build on this performance, while Mumbai Indians will aim to regroup quickly as the WPL 2026 continues to deliver high-quality, closely fought contests.
