UP Warriorz Triumph Over Mumbai Indians with a 22-Run Victory
Meg Lanning Celebrates Victory
Following a 22-run victory against the Mumbai Indians, UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning expressed her satisfaction with the team's performance, especially after recovering from three consecutive losses. She remarked, "It was a great bounce back after those initial defeats. Our team maintained a positive spirit. Securing two wins against MI boosts our momentum as we head into the match against Baroda. We meticulously planned our execution, knowing they have strong batters. In the last two games, we executed our strategy well. Batting alongside Phoebe was enjoyable; we targeted different areas, and she alleviated some pressure off me. I hope we can continue this form. We need to improve our batting innings; MI managed to slow down the pace. We've tightened up a few aspects of our game," Lanning stated during the post-match presentation.
Harmanpreet Kaur Reflects on Powerplay Struggles
In the aftermath of the match, Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur acknowledged the team's shortcomings, saying, "We aimed to chase as a unit. Despite not bowling well, we managed to restrict them to under 200 runs. Our batting during the powerplay was subpar, and we need to address that. Litchfield and Lanning were aggressive, and we missed crucial chances; failing to capitalize on those opportunities puts us under pressure. If we can minimize our mistakes, it will enhance our chances of winning. Kamalini has been vital for us, excelling behind the stumps. Hayley was unwell initially, leading to several changes, but now we are settling down and will find our rhythm."
UP Warriorz's Strong Performance
The UP Warriorz achieved a convincing 22-run victory over the two-time champions, Mumbai Indians. This win marked the second victory for Meg Lanning's team in five matches, while the Mumbai Indians faced their third defeat in as many games.
Lanning and Litchfield Shine
Chasing a daunting target of 188 runs, the Mumbai Indians managed to score only 165/6 in their 20 overs, thanks to a solid bowling display from the UP Warriorz. Batting first, Meg Lanning scored 70 runs off 45 balls, hitting 11 boundaries and two sixes, while forming a 119-run partnership off 74 balls with her Australian teammate Phoebe Litchfield, who contributed 61 runs off 37 balls, including seven boundaries and three sixes.
Lanning Sets New WPL Record
With her impressive 70-run innings, Lanning has now set a record for the most fifty-plus scores in WPL history, totaling 11 fifty-plus scores in 32 innings. She surpasses MI's Harmanpreet Kaur, who has 10 fifty-plus scores in 30 innings, and Nat Sciver-Brunt, who also has 10 in 32 innings.
Amelia Kerr Achieves Milestone
In the final over of the innings, Amelia Kerr made a significant impact, conceding just two runs while taking three wickets (Harleen Deol, Sophie Ecclestone, and Deepti Sharma), preventing UP from exceeding the 190-run mark and limiting them to 187/8 in 20 overs. Kerr's figures of 3-28 in four overs made her the first player in WPL history to reach the 50-wicket milestone, now boasting 50 wickets in 34 matches at an impressive average of 17.26. She leads the charts ahead of Hayley Matthews, who has 43 wickets in 31 WPL matches.
Mumbai Indians' Chase Falls Short
While attempting to chase the challenging target of 188 runs, the Mumbai Indians were restricted to 165/6 in their 20 overs due to the UP Warriorz's effective bowling. The Mumbai Indians lost their top five batters, including Hayley Matthews (13), Sajeevan Sajana (10), Nat Sciver-Brunt (15), and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (18), leaving them at a precarious 69-5 at one point. Although Amelia Kerr's unbeaten 49 and Amanjot Kaur's 41 provided some resistance, the UP Warriorz's disciplined bowling secured their victory at the DY Patil Stadium.
Bowling Highlights
Shikha Pandey (2/30), Kranti Gaud (1/32), Sophie Ecclestone (1/33), Deepti Sharma (1/35), and Chloe Tryon (1/18) were among the standout bowlers for the UP Warriorz.