The Mumbai Indians fans faced a shocker when their skipper Harmanpreet Kaur did not walk out for the coin toss against UP Warriorz at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru on February 28. Instead of Harmanpreet, England's Nat Sciver-Brunt led the team as the Indian captain suffered a niggle.
"Harmanpreet has a bit of niggle and will not be playing in this game. There are a couple of more changes. Shabnim Ismail also misses out, she is also having a little niggle and Issy Wong makes a comeback," Nat said at the coin toss.
"Harman has a lot of experience and she knows the local players very nicely, so I tried to pick a few tips from her. Yes, there are a lot of RCB support here, however, we are doing well and hope to give our best tonight."
In addition to Harmanpreet, South Africa pacer Shabnim Ismail because of a niggle as well.
While Harmanpreet was replaced by Humaira Kazi, England pacer Issy Wong walked into the side for Ismail. Kazi did not get to bat as MI posted 161/6 on the board. Wong contributed with a cameo She hit one six and a four in her unbeaten six-ball 15. Earlier, Hayley Matthews scored 55 runs from 47 balls. In the middle order, Amelia Kerr (16-ball 23) and Pooja Vastrakar (12-ball 18) made valuable contributions too.
Ismail and Harmanpreet’s form
Ismail picked up three wickets in MI's five-wicket win over against Gujarat Giants. Harmanpreet has been in fine form too. After a 55-run knock in the WPL opener against Delhi Capitals, she scored an unbeaten 46 against Gujarat Giants. Defending champions MI walked into their third encounter unbeaten.
Mumbai Indians (Playing XI): Yastika Bhatia(wk), Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt(c), Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, Issy Wong, S Sajana, Humaira Kazi, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Saika Ishaque
UP Warriorz (Playing XI): Alyssa Healy(wk/c), Vrinda Dinesh, Tahlia McGrath, Grace Harris, Shweta Sehrawat, Kiran Navgire, Poonam Khemnar, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Anjali Sarvani, Rajeshwari Gayakwad
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