Harleen Deol showcased her class and composure, guiding the UP Warriorz to a resounding seven-wicket victory against the Mumbai Indians in the Women's Premier League (WPL) on Thursday. This win marks the first of the season for the Warriorz after three consecutive defeats, while the Mumbai Indians suffered their second loss.
Mumbai Indians batted first and posted a competitive total of 161 for 5. After a slow start, Nat Sciver-Brunt propelled their innings with a brilliant knock of 65 runs off 43 balls, supported by Nicola Carey's unbeaten 32 off 20. The late-innings surge saw Mumbai Indians amass 107 runs in the final 10 overs. Earlier in the innings, Amanjot Kaur contributed 38 runs.
The UP Warriorz's chase was anchored by Harleen Deol, who scored an unbeaten 64 off 39 balls. She formed crucial partnerships with Phoebe Litchfield (25 off 22) and Chloe Tryon, who contributed a quickfire 27 not out off 11 balls. Skipper Meg Lanning also added 25 runs.
The turning point of the match was Harleen's dominance in the middle overs. She reached her half-century in the 15th over and built a 73-run partnership with Litchfield. Her aggressive approach, particularly against Shabnim Ismail, shifted the momentum in favor of UPW.
The Mumbai Indians' bowling attack struggled to maintain pressure, failing to execute their plans effectively. Although Nat Sciver-Brunt took two wickets, the other bowlers couldn't make a significant impact. Their inability to contain Harleen Deol proved costly, as she guided the Warriorz to victory with 11 balls to spare.
This victory is a significant morale booster for the UP Warriorz, who had faced criticism after being retired out in the previous match. Deol's performance not only secured the win but also demonstrated her importance to the team. For the Mumbai Indians, this loss serves as a setback, and they will aim to bounce back in their upcoming matches.
Meg Lanning, the skipper of UP Warriorz, acknowledged that the wicket got better in the second innings as the ball was coming on nicely. She also added that Harleen Deol showed what she can do.
