Harleen Deol’s Off-Side Masterclass Ends UP Warriorz’ Winless Run in WPL 2026

Navi Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Harleen Deol produced a breathtaking batting display to guide UP Warriorz to their first win of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026, as they registered a commanding seven-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday. Deol remained unbeaten on a sublime 64 off just 39 balls, anchoring a successful chase and snapping UP Warriorz’ winless streak in emphatic fashion.

Coming into the match under scrutiny after being controversially retired out on 47 in the previous game, Deol responded in the best possible manner. She dominated the Mumbai Indians bowling attack with exquisite strokeplay, particularly on the off-side. Cuts, drives and late cuts flowed effortlessly from her bat, rendered almost unstoppable by her impeccable timing and placement. Even as Mumbai Indians shuffled their field repeatedly, Deol continued to find gaps with ease, making defensive plans ineffective.

Chasing 162, UP Warriorz had a steady start, with Kiran Navgire surviving an early leg-before appeal off Nicola Carey after the review went in her favour due to the umpire’s call. Shabnim Ismail bowled with discipline in the powerplay, but boundaries still came through as Navgire and Meg Lanning found rhythm. Lanning showcased her class with elegant cuts and square drives, while Navgire joined in with back-to-back fours.

Nat Sciver-Brunt’s introduction brought mixed fortunes for Mumbai. Lanning greeted her with a pull for four and followed it up with a sweeping six off a slower delivery. A dropped catch at point further frustrated the fielding side. However, the match swung briefly in Mumbai’s favour just after the powerplay when Sciver-Brunt dismissed both Lanning and Navgire in the same over, with Sajeevan Sajana taking sharp catches at deep square leg.

With UP Warriorz momentarily unsettled, Deol walked in with clear intent. She wasted no time in asserting herself, striking four boundaries in her first six deliveries. A beautifully timed steer through the off-side off Nicola Carey stood out as a statement shot. Phoebe Litchfield complemented Deol well, using the inside-out shot and square drives effectively, and even launched Amelia Kerr over long-on for a six.

Deol’s assault gathered momentum as she punished Shabnim Ismail with a sequence of boundaries — a crisp square drive through point, a flowing drive, and a delicate late cut past third man. While Litchfield played a valuable hand of 25, she eventually miscued a shot to square leg, becoming Amelia Kerr’s first wicket of the match.

Unfazed, Deol continued her fluent innings and brought up her half-century off just 32 balls with a slog sweep off Sanskriti Gupta. She followed it up with more authoritative drives, keeping the required run rate firmly under control. Chloe Tryon then played the perfect finishing role, remaining unbeaten on 27 with a mix of lofted shots, sweeps, pulls and a powerful short-arm jab.

With no late jitters, UP Warriorz sealed the victory with 11 balls to spare, riding on Deol’s off-side masterclass and a calm finishing effort from Tryon.

Brief Scores:
Mumbai Indians 161/5 in 20 overs (Nat Sciver-Brunt 65, Amanjot Kaur 38; Shikha Pandey 1-25, Sophie Ecclestone 1-26)
UP Warriorz 162/3 in 18.1 overs (Harleen Deol 64* , Chloe Tryon 27*; Nat Sciver-Brunt 2-28, Amelia Kerr 1-42)

UP Warriorz won by seven wickets.