A wide-angle view of DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai during a Women’s Premier League night match, showing the empty cricket pitch under floodlights with WPL branding and sunset sky

Harleen Deol’s Composed Fifty Guides UP Warriorz to Convincing Win Over MI Women

January 15, 2026

UP Warriorz Women produced a calm, well-executed chase to defeat Mumbai Indians Women by 7 wickets with 11 balls to spare in the 8th match of the Women’s Premier League at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. Chasing 162, Harleen Deol’s unbeaten 64 off 39 balls proved decisive as UPW registered their second points of the season and climbed the table.

Despite another standout performance from Nat Sciver-Brunt, Mumbai were left to rue a below-par powerplay and ineffective bowling in the middle overs.

Mumbai Indians Women: Sciver-Brunt Shines, But Powerplay Costs Dear

Mumbai’s innings never truly took off in the powerplay. On a surface that rewarded clean hitting, MI managed just 32 runs in the first six overs, missing a golden opportunity to set the tone.

Amanjot Kaur provided early stability with a fluent 38, but the wicket of Gunalan Kamalini further stalled momentum. The innings only came alive once Nat Sciver-Brunt found her rhythm.

Sciver-Brunt’s 65 off 43 balls was the backbone of MI’s total. Mixing classical strokeplay with smart placement, she single-handedly lifted the run rate during the middle overs. Her 50-run stand with Nicola Carey was the turning point, dragging MI from a shaky 78/3 to a competitive position.

Nicola Carey’s late cameo (32* off 20) ensured Mumbai crossed 160, but the lack of acceleration at the top meant 161/5 felt 10–15 runs short on this ground.

Key concern for MI:
Harmanpreet Kaur’s brief stay and the absence of Amelia Kerr’s batting contribution left the middle order overly dependent on Sciver-Brunt.

UP Warriorz Chase: Controlled Aggression and Perfect Game Awareness

UP Warriorz approached the chase with clarity. Meg Lanning and Kiran Navgire ensured a brisk start without taking undue risks, scoring 42 without loss in the powerplay and immediately shifting pressure back onto MI.

Although both openers fell in quick succession, the platform was already set. Phoebe Litchfield played the stabiliser’s role, allowing Harleen Deol to take charge.

Harleen’s innings was the defining performance of the match. Confident against both pace and spin, she punished width, swept spinners effectively, and ran sharply between the wickets. Her strike rate of over 160 never felt reckless — it was built on smart shot selection.

Once Litchfield departed at 118, any lingering doubt was erased by Chloe Tryon’s explosive 27 off 11 balls. The Harleen-Tryon partnership finished the game ruthlessly, highlighting UPW’s superior finishing compared to Mumbai.

Bowling Review: MI Lacked Penetration, UPW Executed Better

Mumbai’s bowling never found sustained control.

Nat Sciver-Brunt was the only bowler to make a real impact, picking up two early wickets.
Amelia Kerr endured a rare expensive night, conceding 42 in four overs.
Shabnim Ismail bowled with pace but without rewards on a surface offering little assistance.

In contrast, UP Warriorz were disciplined:

Shikha Pandey and Sophie Ecclestone controlled the middle overs.
Deepti Sharma quietly did her job, breaking a key partnership.
UPW consistently hit good lengths, forcing MI to take risks late rather than build early momentum.

Tactical Talking Points

Powerplay difference decided the match: UPW +10 runs compared to MI.
Mumbai’s over-reliance on Sciver-Brunt continues to be a concern.
Harleen Deol’s ability to pace chases makes her a crucial middle-order asset.
UP Warriorz look more balanced in chases than defending totals.

What This Result Means

With this win, UP Warriorz move up the WPL points table, gaining momentum at a crucial stage of the league. Their batting depth and calm chasing approach make them increasingly dangerous.

Mumbai Indians Women, meanwhile, will need sharper powerplay intent and better bowling execution if they are to remain contenders. Sciver-Brunt’s form is a massive positive, but she needs stronger support around her.

Final Word

This match was a lesson in game awareness and composure. Mumbai had moments of brilliance, but UP Warriorz were simply smarter when it mattered. Harleen Deol’s innings will be remembered as one of the most assured knocks of the season so far.