Deol's Unbeaten 64 Guides UP Warriorz to First WPL Win

In a stunning turnaround, Harleen Deol delivered an unbeaten half-century to power UP Warriorz to their first victory of the 2026 Women's Premier League season, defeating defending champions Mumbai Indians by seven wickets on Thursday at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

The win came just 24 hours after a controversial moment in Wednesday's match against Delhi Capitals, where Deol was asked to retire out after scoring 47 runs off 36 balls. Batting at number four, she had steadied the innings following early dismissals of opener Kiran Navgire for a duck and a 47-run stand between skipper Meg Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield. Lanning top-scored with 54 off 38 balls, reaching 1,000 WPL runs in the process, but the team struggled after Deol's departure. The tactic aimed to bring in big-hitter Chloe Tryon, who managed just one run off three balls before being dismissed. In the final three overs, UP Warriorz added only 13 runs while losing four wickets, finishing at 154 for eight. Delhi Capitals chased the target with seven wickets in hand, winning off the last ball.

Deol addressed the decision post-match, expressing no resentment. "Actually yesterday too I was batting well. As you...