🏏WPL 2026: Match 8: MIW vs UPWW at DY Patil on 15/01/26🏏 - Page 2

UP Warriorz's slog in the WPL 2026 continues without reward as they head into tonight's clash with Mumbai Indians still searching for their first victory. Three games in, Warriorz have shown flashes of promise but have lacked the collective consistency required to turn strong positions into wins. A middle order that has faltered at key moments, coupled with a bowling unit that has struggled at times, has left them adrift early in the campaign. Mumbai Indians, by contrast, arrive in better spirits after winning two of their three matches so far.

MI's batting has been anchored by Harmanpreet Kaur, who has underlined her form with successive half-centuries

The WPL schedule has drawn criticism, with teams playing back-to-back games and little time for recovery. UPW are feeling the strain, having played Delhi Capitals the previous night before heading into Thursday's clash at the D.Y. Patil Stadium.

There were positives in their last outing as the bowlers kept Delhi under pressure, but the batting once again let them down. Meg Lanning led from the front with a fluent half-century, but wickets continued to fall around her. A tactical call also backfired when Harleen Deol was retired out on 47, triggering a collapse of four wickets for 11 runs.

The Warriorz have struggled through the middle overs and are still searching for the right opening combination. While Lanning has been consistent, the Indian middle order has failed to deliver. With tougher matches ahead, the team management has key decisions to make, including a possible reshuffle of the bowling attack.

Mumbai, on the other hand, are flying. Nicola Carey has contributed with both bat and ball, Hayley Matthews returned from injury in style, Amelia Kerr has been impressive with the ball and Shabnim Ismail has been sharp throughout. With Nat Sciver-Brunt set to return, MI face a selection headache among their overseas players.

Head-to-head

Mumbai Indians Women and UP Warriorz Women have faced each other seven times in the Women's Premier League so far. MI-W have held the upper hand in this rivalry, winning five of those encounters, while UPW have emerged victorious on two occasions.

Weather and pitch conditions

The pitches in Navi Mumbai have generally favoured batters, but with multiple matches already played at the venue, the surfaces are now starting to show signs of wear. The increasing abrasions have brought the slower bowlers into the game, a trend clearly evident during the UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals clash.

UP Warriorz Women have won the toss and have opted to field

Meg Lanning: We are going to have a bowl first. It is something that has worked in the tournament. We are sticking to the same team, we think that gives us the best chance and on this wicket. We haven't played our best but tonight is another chance. There is a lot of talent within this group, it is about getting the best out of them. Today we go out and improve on those skills. We have done well lot of things right and hopefully tonight's the night.

Harmanpreet Kaur: We have one change - Nat is back and Hayley is resting. She (Carey) is someone who is contributing with both bat and ball, she is in form and should continue playing. Throughout this tournament we have seen, everyone is scoring close to 180, we have played on this pitch and it was seaming early on, hopefully we adjust and put up a good total on the board.

Mumbai Indians Women (Playing XI): Gunalan Kamalini(w), Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Amanjot Kaur, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Nicola Carey, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Poonam Khemnar, Shabnim Ismail, Triveni Vasistha

UP Warriorz Women (Playing XI): Kiran Navgire, Meg Lanning(c), Phoebe Litchfield, Harleen Deol, Shweta Sehrawat(w), Chloe Tryon, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Asha Sobhana Joy, Shikha Pandey, Kranti Gaud

Kranti Gaud to Amanjot Kaur, FOUR, edged and safe! Right between keeper and slip. Fuller in length and Amanjot is drawn into the drive, the ball swings away to catch the outside edge and it goes past a diving Shweta Sehrawat.

MI-W (13/20 ov) 78/3

UPW-W

UPW Women chose to field.

CRR: 6.00

• Last 5 ov (RR): 34/2 (6.80)

Stat - Asha Sobhana has bowled 53 overs (318 balls) in her WPL career so far, only seven of them from round the wicket, including the one that accounted for Harmanpreet’s dismissal today.

UP Warriorz have done well to keep MI in check and they also got the big wicket of Harmanpreet. But these last 7 overs will be key. They have to restrict MI to under 140 if they are to have a chance of registering their first win.