Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Jan 16: Harleen Deol produced a stunning turnaround just 24 hours after being retired out, playing a match-winning knock to guide UP Warriorz to their first victory of the season with a commanding seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians.

Deol remained unbeaten on a brilliant 64 off 39 balls as the Warriorz chased down a target of 162 with ease, reaching 162 for 3 in 18.1 overs. Her composed yet aggressive innings ensured Nat Sciver-Brunt’s fine all-round performance went in vain.

Batting first, Mumbai Indians struggled to gain momentum in the PowerPlay despite not losing a wicket. Amanjot Kaur, promoted to open, took most of the strike and found the boundary in nearly every over, but a high dot-ball percentage meant MI could manage only 32 runs in the first six overs. With pressure mounting, Amanjot tried to accelerate but was dismissed for 38, while G Kamalini departed soon after for a 12-ball 5.

The responsibility then fell on skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt. MI’s run rate crossed six only after the 11th over. Harmanpreet struck a few crisp boundaries and a six but was dismissed by a fine diving catch from Chloe Tryon just as she looked set. At 86 for 2 after 13 overs, MI needed a strong finish.

Sciver-Brunt led the charge in the final phase, launching an attack on Asha Sobhana before Nicola Carey chipped in with four boundaries in an over off Tryon. Sciver-Brunt brought up a fluent fifty, and MI nearly doubled their score from the 13-over mark to post a competitive 161 for 5.

In reply, UP Warriorz made a steady start, with Meg Lanning providing the early impetus as the side reached 42 in the PowerPlay. However, Sciver-Brunt struck back immediately after the timeout, removing both openers in the same over to keep MI in the contest.

Deol, unfazed by the early setbacks, began confidently, striking boundaries at regular intervals to race to 18 off just nine balls. She found good support from Phoebe Litchfield, who also attacked the bowling and helped Warriorz take control by the halfway stage.

Deol continued to dominate, punishing Shabnim Ismail in her final over, while MI managed to slow Litchfield down, eventually dismissing her at a crucial moment. With 44 needed off 30 balls, a no-ball from Sanskriti Gupta proved costly as Deol capitalised on the free hit to bring up her half-century.

Chloe Tryon then finished the chase in style, smashing four boundaries and a massive six in an unbeaten cameo as UP Warriorz sealed victory in the penultimate over.

Brief scores:

Mumbai Indians 161/5 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 65, Amanjot Kaur 38; Shikha Pandey 1/25)

lost to

UP Warriorz 162/3 in 18.1 overs (Harleen Deol 64*, Chloe Tryon 27*; Nat Sciver-Brunt 2/28) by 7 wickets.