UP Warriorz Celebrate First Win with Harleen Deol's Stellar Performance

UP Warriorz Triumph Over Mumbai Indians

Navi Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 16: After securing a victory against the reigning champions Mumbai Indians (MI), UP Warriorz's head coach Abhishek Nayar praised Indian batter Harleen Deol for her commitment to the team and the positive culture within the squad.

Following a challenging start to the tournament, Harleen, who was retired out after scoring 47 runs off 36 balls in the previous match, showcased her skills with an impressive unbeaten 64 runs off 39 balls, featuring 12 boundaries. This performance was crucial in helping UPW successfully chase down a target of 162 runs in just 18.1 overs, surpassing MI's Nat Sciver Brunt, who scored 65 runs off 43 balls.

In the post-match press conference, Coach Nayar emphasized Harleen's selfless attitude, stating, "For Harleen, the team always comes first, and that mindset is deeply ingrained in our group. I have always motivated her to embrace both finesse and power in her game, as my goal is to elevate Indian cricketers. She is now the second Indian player, after Harmanpreet, to achieve a fifty this season, which is exactly what we aimed for."

With this win, UPW finally has a victory to celebrate after three consecutive losses, yet the team's spirit and culture remained intact, thanks to the vibrant energy brought by younger players.

"Our team culture remains unchanged regardless of the match outcomes. We have faced some tough challenges, but lively personalities like Kranti Gaud and Phoebe Litchfield keep the atmosphere upbeat in the dressing room. Maintaining a positive environment is crucial, irrespective of the results," the coach remarked.

Nayar also highlighted the significance of strong leadership within the team, praising skipper Meg Lanning for her exceptional guidance. He noted, "T20 cricket thrives on effective leadership, and Meg has been remarkable. She is actively involved and meticulous in assessing the strengths and weaknesses of our team. As the tournament advances, her influence becomes increasingly evident; she truly leads this team."

After her match-winning innings, Harleen expressed her joy and confidence, stating that she felt she was performing well even in the previous game before being retired out. She noted that the pitch improved as the match progressed, aiding her run chase.

"It feels fantastic to secure our first win, and I’m thrilled for the team. I believed I was batting well in the last match too, so my preparation didn’t change much. Sometimes, everything aligns perfectly on the day, and you find the right balls to hit. The pitch was a bit challenging in the first innings, but it got better later on, and I focused on contributing to the team's success," she shared.