UP Warriorz (UPW) secured a hard-fought 22-run win over the defending champions Mumbai Indians (MI) in their Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 clash on January 17. The win was particularly significant as it marked the Warriorz' second consecutive win over the title holders.
UP Warriorz thrash Mumbai Indians by 22 runs
MI's 188-run chase was kept alive by a spectacular 83-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Amelia Kerr (49) and Amanjot Kaur (41). Their resilient stand threatened to pull off a dramatic comeback, but the UPW's bowling attack eventually proved too strong to overcome as MI were bowled out for 165/6.
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Shikha Pandey (2/30) was the standout performer for the Warriorz’ defense, delivering a disciplined spell to stifle the opposition. Finishing with figures of 2/30 from her four overs, her crucial breakthroughs ensured that Mumbai remained behind the required rate and ultimately fell short of the target.
Meg Lanning's brilliant 70 in MI's winning cause
Earlier, UPW set a formidable target of 187/8 against MI. After being sent in to bat by MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur, the Warriorz faced an immediate setback when opener Kiran Navgire was dismissed for a golden duck by Nicola Carey. Despite the shaky start, the innings was quickly revitalized by a commanding performance from captain Meg Lanning and her Australian teammate Phoebe Litchfield.
The duo orchestrated a massive 119-run partnership off just 74 deliveries, systematically dismantling the Mumbai bowling attack. Lanning led the charge with a brilliant 70 off 45 balls, featuring 11 boundaries and two sixes, while Litchfield provided explosive support with 61 runs off 37 balls. Their collaboration propelled the Warriorz to a strong position of 124/2 by the 13th over before Amanjot Kaur finally broke the stand by claiming Litchfield’s wicket. Shortly after, Hayley Matthews dismissed Lanning, ending a dominant period of play for the batting side.
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Beyond helping her team reach a competitive total, Meg Lanning’s 70-run knock etched her name further into the tournament's history books. She now holds the record for the most fifty-plus scores in WPL history, achieving the feat 11 times in just 32 innings. This milestone moves her ahead of prominent rivals Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt, who both sit closely behind with 10 fifty-plus scores each.
Building on the momentum of the top order, Harleen Deol and Chloe Tryon combined for a crucial 41-run partnership that steered the UPW toward a high total. Deol contributed a brisk 25 off 16 balls, while Tryon added a quickfire 21 before falling to Nat Sciver-Brunt in the 19th over. Sciver-Brunt proved clinical in the death overs, maintaining a tight line and removing Shweta Sehrawat for a golden duck to finish with impressive figures of 2-22.
The final over belonged entirely to Amelia Kerr, who delivered a masterclass in defensive bowling to halt the Warriorz' charge. With UP poised to cross the 190-run mark, Kerr conceded only two runs while claiming three wickets in the single over, dismissing Deol, Sophie Ecclestone, and Deepti Sharma. This late-inning collapse restricted the Warriorz to 187/8, with Kerr finishing her four-over spell with a decisive 3-28.
Kerr’s performance was historically significant, as she became the first player in Women’s Premier League history to reach the 50-wicket milestone. Achieving this feat in just 34 matches at an elite average of 17.26, she has established a comfortable lead over Hayley Matthews, who sits in second place with 43 wickets.
Amelia Kerr's 49 in MI's losing cause
MI’s pursuit of a daunting 188-run target ultimately fell short, as they were held to 165 for six in their allotted 20 overs. Despite a resilient middle-order recovery, the defending champions were unable to maintain the necessary scoring rate against a disciplined bowling attack, resulting in a 22-run defeat.
The chase began on shaky ground with the early loss of openers Sajeevan Sajana and Hayley Matthews, who were dismissed for 10 and 13 respectively. The pressure intensified when captain Harmanpreet Kaur was unable to anchor the innings, falling for just 18 runs. These quick wickets left Mumbai in a precarious position and significantly hampered their momentum during the crucial powerplay overs.
Hopes for a comeback were briefly reignited by a dynamic 83-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Amelia Kerr and Amanjot Kaur. Kerr remained unbeaten on a brisk 49 off 28 balls, while Amanjot contributed a rapid 41 off 24 deliveries. However, Shikha Pandey provided the breakthrough the Warriorz needed by ending the stand. Supported by tight spells from Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, and Kranti Gaud, the UP bowling unit maintained control to see out the victory.