MI vs UPW, Match 6: The UP Warriorz are still stuck on zero in the WPL 2024 season. After suffering consecutive defeats, first by the Royal Challengers Bangalore and then the Delhi Capitals, the Alyssa Healy-led side will look to start their title contention with a win. However, to do so, they must go against defending champions the Mumbai Indians (MI) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Under the leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur, MI managed to win two tight matches. Having crossed the line on the last ball against the Delhi Capitals in the season opener, they gained an easier win over the Gujarat Giants two nights ago.
MI, firing on all cylinders
MI didn’t have a good start with the bowl in their opening match. Apart from Shabnim Ismail and Saika Ishaque, none of them proved to be economical. However, their batters stood up. Skipper Harmanpreet and wicketkeeper batter Yastika Bhatia struck timely fifties, while Amelia Kerr offered assistance.
But it was the last-ball miracle by S Sajana that helped the defending champions get across the line. They were much more efficient in their second match. Their bowler’s course corrected immediately, with no bowler going over 9 runs an over and restricting the opposition to under 130. Similar to the first match, their middle order did well, and 2-0, they went up.
Top-order no show and bowlers ineffective for the Warriorz
The Warriorz, for the most part, were ahead of their opening match. After their bowling unit worked collectively, with six of their bowlers getting at least one scalp, it was up to their batters to do well. After a scratchy Vrindha Dinesh, Grace Harris and Shweta Sehrawat settled but could not take them across the line, as they lost by just 2 runs.
However, things were a lot different in the second match. Unlike their opener, where they played well for the most part, their second outing was a forgetful one. With only one batter crossing the 20-run mark, Warriorz managed to get just 119. With a target so low, their bowler got no reprieve either, getting thrashed by Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning to lose by 9 wickets.
MI vs UPW: Squads
Mumbai Indians Women: Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Hayley Matthews, Humaira Kazi, Issy Wong, Jintimani Kalita, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Pooja Vastrakar, Priyanka Bala, Saika Ishaque, Yastika Bhatia, Shabnim Ismail, S Sajana, Amandeep Kaur, Fatima Jaffer, SB Keerthana
UP Warriorz: Alyssa Healy (c), Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Chamari Athapaththu, Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Soppadhandi Yashasri, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia McGrath, Danni Wyatt, Vrinda Dinesh, Poonam Khemnar, Saima Thakor, Gouher Sultana.
