The UP Warriorz (UPW) officially ignited their TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 campaign with a statement victory over the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI). In a high-stakes Match 8 held at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, the Warriorz showcased resilience and clinical finishing to secure a seven-wicket win. The victory was anchored by a spectacular, unbeaten half-century from Harleen Deol, whose authoritative batting ensured UPW chased down a competitive target of 162 with 11 deliveries to spare.
Mumbai Indians Struggle for Early Momentum
The afternoon began with UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning winning the toss and electing to field first, a decision that immediately put the Mumbai Indians’ top order under the microscope. MI introduced a fresh opening pair in Amanjot Kaur and G. Kamalini, but the duo found it difficult to break free against a disciplined and accurate UPW bowling attack.
Throughout the first five overs, the Warriorz restricted Mumbai’s scoring opportunities, allowing them to reach only 32 runs without loss by the end of the powerplay. While Amanjot Kaur eventually found some rhythm to contribute a steady 38 off 33 balls, the pressure from the other end eventually told. Deepti Sharma and Sophie Ecclestone struck in consecutive overs to remove both openers, leaving the defending champions in a precarious position.
Sciver-Brunt and Carey Rebuild the Innings
The mid-innings phase saw Mumbai Indians reeling at 74/3 within the 13th over. The loss of their in-form captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, for a quick 16 off 11 balls, further dampened the mood in the MI dugout. However, the returning Natalie Sciver-Brunt proved why she remains one of the world’s elite all-rounders. She played with exceptional composure and class, dominating the Warriorz’ bowlers to bring up a fluent half-century.
Sciver-Brunt found a perfect partner in Nicola Carey. Together, the pair stitched a vital 85-run partnership off just 43 deliveries. Carey’s quickfire 32* from 20 balls complemented Sciver-Brunt’s 65 off 43, propelling Mumbai to a competitive total of 161/5. Their late-overs surge was particularly impressive, as they plundered 58 runs in the final five overs to give their bowlers a fighting total to defend.
UP Warriorz’ Steady Start and Mid-Innings Wobble
The chase began with captain Meg Lanning and Kiran Navgire providing a solid foundation for the Warriorz. The pair played with calculated aggression to reach 42/0 by the end of the powerplay. However, the momentum shifted momentarily when Nat Sciver-Brunt mirrored her batting heroics with the ball. In a single decisive over, she dismissed both Lanning (25 off 26) and Navgire (10 off 12), leaving the Warriorz at 42/2 and threatening to derail the chase.
The Harleen Deol Show Takes Center Stage
With the match hanging in the balance, Harleen Deol walked to the crease and immediately took charge. Refusing to let the Mumbai bowlers settle, she played with immense confidence from the outset. Alongside Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen navigated the middle overs with precision, taking the score to 83/2 at the halfway mark.
Harleen’s innings was a masterclass in placement and timing. She particularly targeted the off-side, finding the boundary with regularity and ease. Even after Litchfield fell for 25 to Amelia Kerr—who reached a milestone 47th WPL wicket during the match—Harleen remained unfazed. She reached her half-century in just 31 deliveries, continuing to pick gaps in the field with surgical accuracy. Her final tally of 64* off 39 balls featured 12 boundaries and served as the backbone of the UPW victory.
Tryon’s Finisher Act Seals the Deal
While Harleen anchored the chase, Chloe Tryon provided the explosive finish required to prevent any late-inning drama. Entering the fray with 79 runs still needed from the final 10 overs, Tryon unleashed a flurry of attacking strokes. Her unbeaten 27 off just 11 deliveries included four boundaries and a massive six, ending the match in style.
The Harleen-Tryon duo shared an unbeaten 44-run stand in just 20 balls, guiding the Warriorz across the finish line with 1.5 overs remaining. For Mumbai Indians, it was a second loss in four games, while for UP Warriorz, the victory marked a turning point in their season, proving they have the batting depth and bowling discipline to challenge the league’s top contenders.
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