WPL 2024: MI outclass UP Warriorz, claim their fourth win
Mumbai Indians claimed their fourth win of the 2024 Women's Premier League (WPL) season after beating UP Warriorz in Delhi. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led side successfully defended 160, with their bowlers outfoxing the UPW batters. The Warriorz struggled to get going and finished on 118/9 after 20 overs. Deepti Sharma slammed a consolation half-century. Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet, and Amelia Kerr played crucial knocks for MI.
MI recover after poor start
MI lost Hayley Matthews (8/1) and Yastika Bhatia (17/2) after electing to bat first. However, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet took them past 70 with a pivotal stand. Their quick departures reduced MI to 104/4 in 14.1 overs, but Amelia Kerr's 23-ball 39 powered them. S Sajana assisted Kerr with a 14-ball 22, taking MI to 160/6. Chamari Athapaththu took two wickets for UPW.
Sluggish UPW struggle to get going
UP Warriorz's top-three batters departed in single figures. Shabnim Ismail, Saika Ishaque, and Hayley Matthews dismissed Alyssa Healy (3), Kiran Navgire (7), and Chamari Athapaththu (3), respectively. While Ismail was unplayable, Grace Harris played an unusually sluggish knock (15 off 23). Deepti Sharma (53*) was UPW's lone warrior as MI restricted them to 118/9. Ishaque took a three-wicket haul, while Nat Sciver-Brunt recorded two.
UPW's lone half-centurion
All-rounder Deepti Sharma was UPW's only hope in the run-chase. She held her end despite finding no support whatsoever. Only two other UPW batters scored in double figures - Grace Harris and Shweta Sehrawat. Deepti completed her half-century on the match's final ball with a maximum at mid-wicket. She slammed an unbeaten 53 off 36 balls (6 fours and 2 sixes).
An unusual knock from Harris
Grace Harris, who played explosive knocks last season, failed to strike the ball this time. She could not get off the mark in her first 14 balls. Harris struggled to connect the ball and place it in gaps throughout her innings. She scored just 15 runs off 23 balls, a tally that included two sixes. Saika Ishaque knocked her over eventually.
Three wickets for Ishaque; Ismail bamboozles UPW
Left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque was the pick of UPW's bowlers in the match. She took three wickets for 27 runs in four overs. Ismail, Matthews, Pooja Vastrakar, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and S Sajana were also among the wickets. However, Ismail, who started the proceedings bagged figures worth 4-0-6-1 in the match. She bamboozled the UPW batters in the Powerplay.
MI back in top two
With this win, Mumbai Indians are back in the top-two of the 2024 WPL standings. They now have four wins from six matches. MI are only behind Delhi Capitals (DC), who have suffered a solitary defeat so far.