India batting all-rounder Harleen Doel answered her critics in the best possible way with a match-winning knock for UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026. Batting against Harmanpreet Kaur-led Mumbai, she played an unbeaten 64 from 39 balls to guide her team to their first win of the season under captain Meg Lanning.
When did Harleen retire out?
Her match-winning knock came just a day after a tough moment against Delhi Capitals, where she was retired out despite having three overs still left in the innings. The team management, led by coach Abhishek Nayar, had decided to bring in power-hitter Chloe Tryon at that stage, with Harleen on 47 off 36 balls.
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Instead of letting that decision affect her confidence, Harleen responded with her bat. She played a calm and composed innings and was later named Player of the Match for her efforts.
Harleen on getting retired out
While collecting the award, she was asked about retiring in the previous game. Harleen answered maturely, saying she understood the team’s thinking. She explained that with a big hitter like Chloe Tryon waiting to bat, the decision was made in the team’s best interest, and she respected that call. She also stated that the call from management made her aware of the areas of her game she needs to work on.
“Yesterday also I was batting well, but as you saw today, how Chloe can change the scenario. For me, I just took it in that way. Chloe is someone who can hit big, so probably that didn't go our way. That is the only thing which happened,” said Harleen during the post-match presentation.
“It's just normal preparation for me. Nothing different. I was batting well yesterday, also. There's no point in just keeping stressing on that thing. Honestly, yesterday it gave me a lot of confidence, in fact, because the first two games didn't go my way. But then I went on and figured out a few things, I was just trying to overhit, this wicket is not something which you know for me as a batter to just keep overhitting and just more on timing-based things,” she added.
Coming back to the match, Harleen Doel smashed an unbeaten 39-ball 64 as UP Warriorz beat Mumbai Indians by seven wickets to register their first win in the Women's Premier League.