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From retired out to matchwinner: Harleen Deol’s 64 powers UP Warriorz to first WPL 2026 win against Mumbai Indians

By Samira Vishwas

On Wednesday, Harleen Deol was retired out for a batter considered more explosive in the final overs. She quickly dispelled the notion with a classy innings that kept UP Warriorz alive in the 2026 Women’s Premier League, with a seven-wicket win against Mumbai Indians chasing 162.

Harleen Deol show

It’s never a pleasant feeling when one is not considered good enough to do a job. Harleen Deol would have felt a mixture of disappointment, disbelief, and embarrassment when Warriorz retired her out on a 36-ball 47 with the last three overs left to play in the game against Delhi Capitals.

It took Harleen 24 hours to bounce back, and in some style. Her unbeaten 39-ball 64 against defending champions Mumbai Indians didn’t constitute hitting as such, only cultured strokeplay. It was a must-win game for the Warriorz after three consecutive losses to start their campaign.

 

The opposition bowling on Thursday also helped Harleen’s cause. They kept feeding her strength by giving her width, and she gave an exhibition of off-side play, repeatedly finding the boundary. All but two of her 12 boundaries peppered the offside boundaries.

For a team that had only seen defeats this season so far, things could have gone badly. But the bowlers contributed to her being on 12 after three balls, and sensing it was her night. Natalie Sciver-Brunt fed a cut shot before Amelia Kerr provided opportunities for a cover drive and a late cut. Three different shots through the off-side, and Harleen and UP Warriorz were on their way.

Two players for one

The Mumbai Indians are headlined by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, but Nat Sciver-Brunt is equally crucial to their fortunes. The England captain is two players for the price of one, and contributes in both – and sometimes all three disciplines – in any game.

On Thursday too, it was the 33-year-old who stepped up when the team had lost three wickets – including that of the captain – in just over 12 overs with the scoring rate at just a run a ball.

Sciver-Brunt’s 65 off 43 balls, with nine fours and a six, was full of the characteristic strokeplay, mixing powerful hits, street-smart innovation, and classy execution.

Once she got a life – a very tough chance as Meg Lanning went flying to her right, parallel to the ground, at midwicket, but failed to hold on – Sciver-Brunt took control. She started her boundary count with a reverse-sweep off leg-spinner Asha Sobhana, then employed the conventional shot against Sophie Ecclestone. Though it wasn’t enough for MI to get over the line, it proved what a vital player the England star is for her franchise.

Brief scores: Mumbai Indians 161/5 in 20 overs (Sciver-Brunt 65, Amanjot Kaur 38, Nicola Carey 32 not out) lost to UP Warriorz 162/3 in 18.1 overs (Harleen Deol 64 not out) by seven wickets

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