🏏WPL 2024: Match 6: Mumbai Indians W vs UP Warriorz W🏏 - Page 10

Deepti Sharma (translated from Hindi): We're happy, you get a positive feeling when you win. We didn't think this was a big target, we've a good batting line-up, the start given by Kiran and Alyssa was excellent. I don't know about that (the decision to open with Kiran was based on Vrinda's injury), but things do happen for a good cause. We could have cut down the runs in the last few overs, it's an important phase of play and we can get better there by bowling better lines and lengths.

The captain of UPW - Alyssa Healy is Mitchel Starc s spouse.

Alyssa Healy | UPW captain: Over the moon to get ourselves on the board, to beat a quality side like Mumbai The girls bounced back after a disappointing last night. Apparently Kiran went to the boss last night and asked if she can open, she wants to open. [on whether Navgire would have opened if not for Vrinda's injury] Probably not but things happen for a reason. To be fair they got 25 more on us, we gave away too many on the field and we let it slip. But the batters got the job done, the bowlers have been keeping us in the game. It's one dimensional but they all have different styles, we have got seam on the bench if need be. [on the celebrations tonight] With cake - that's how we do it in India. Sophie Ecclestone is really excited about the cake. Proud of the girls they came back hard, good to get on the board but still a lot of work to do

Potm Kiran Navgire[on her injury from last match] Not hurt too much, I'm fine now. They told me before maybe you could open, so I was mentally prepared. When the score was big, the head coach told me you are opening, so I felt happy. I was playing the ball on merit, that's the plan. I like to play to my strengths and that's what I do.

MI-W

161/6

UPW-W

(16.3/20 ov, T:162) 163/3

UPW Women won by 7 wickets (with 21 balls remaining)

A clinical run-chase by the Warriorz and they have, to a large extent, allayed fears around their batting unit. Navgire, pushed up to open, was sensational, smashing her way to 57 off 31. She was so destructive that Healy was happy to play second fiddle, mustering 33 off 29. There was a brief wobble, where both of the openers and McGrath fell but that was soon arrested by Deepti and Harris.

They combined for a 65-run partnership that came off just 36 balls, putting the game well and truly beyond the Mumbai Indians, and handing them their first jolt of the season, just like they did a year ago.

Not quite the defending champions' night. They bowled too short at the start and were punished. The spinners also could not get into the game, and while much was down to how much pressure Navgire put them under, MI will be the first to admit that they were not at their absolute best.

Deepti Sharma: Feeling very good (that we could win tonight). (On the target) We did not feel it was too many. We knew we had a good batting line-up. The way Kiran played was outstanding. The start they gave was excellent. (On whether Kiran Navgire would have opened if Vrinda Dinesh had not injured herself) I don't know that (smiles). (On the bowling) We could have given away lesser runs as a bowling unit. We could maybe do better in the last four overs.

Kiran Navgire, Player of the Match: She (Alyssa Healy) had told me before that I could open so I had prepared mentally. After the innings ended, the head coach told me I was opening and I got very happy. (On who she wanted to target) Nothing like that. I was trying to play according to the merit of the ball. (On attacking the spinners) That is my strength and I try to play to my strengths, that is my plan.

That will be all from us. Hope you enjoyed our coverage as much as we loved bringing it to you. We do it all over again tomorrow as the Royal Challengers Bangalore lock horns with the Delhi Capitals.