WPL 2026: UP Warriorz stun Mumbai Indians to open account; here’s what the captains said

UP Warriorz have finally opened their account in WPL 2026 following three successive losses, by beating former winners and star-studded Mumbai Indians in Navi Mumbai on Thursday (Jan 15). Led by Harleen Deol’s heroics with the bat, UP completed the run chase with 11 balls and seven wickets remaining. While UP captain Meg Lanning talked about positives from this win and feeling content about the team’s performance thus far, Mumbai’s Harmanpreet Kaur felt her team was at least 20 shy of a par first-inning score here.

UP won the toss and elected to field first. Following a shaky start, UP picked three wickets inside 13 overs, including removing Mumbai’s captain Harmanpreet on 16. England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt was the sole star for Mumbai, slamming a fifty, with Nicola Carey also contributing with a 20-ball 32. Mumbai posted 161 for five.

UP began cautiously before losing both openers in one over, just after the Powerplay. That, however, brought Phoebe Litchfield and Harleen Deol to the crease, the pair that did all the damage and helped the Warriorz clinch a clinical win. Harleen remained unbeaten on 64 off 29 balls, hitting 12 fours, while Chloe Tryon smashed a quickfire unbeaten 27 off 11.

Here is what both captains said –

Harmanpreet Kaur – “I felt 180 or something (the par score), which we were looking for because we knew batting first is not easy on this track. But I think we did recently well in the powerplay. We didn't lose the wicket, but unfortunately, runs were not enough on the board, but later on, I think Nat and Nic put us in a better situation.

“But I think credit goes to Harleen the way she batted today. Yeah, I mean, chasing is always better when dew is there.”

Further praising the opposition, Harmanpreet said, “I think they did decently well because a lot of dew was there, bowlers not, you know, gripping well, but I think even the score was not, you know, enough on the board. So, I think, I think they bowled decently well, yeah,” she added.

The winning captain, Lanning, said, “Throughout the first three games, there's still been a lot of positives. We've put together some good cricket, but probably just not as consistent as we would have liked. I think tonight was an excellent performance, bouncing back from last night to be able to beat Mumbai, who are an excellent team. So, yeah, very happy. (on them being on a losing streak).”