Back-to-back wins for UP Warriorz (UPW) as they defeated the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI), for the second time in the ongoing WPL 2026 season. After setting a competitive 188-run target, UPW bowlers put up a disciplined effort to restrict MI as Harmanpreet Kaur’s side fell short by 22 runs.
After losing three consecutive games, UPW have now made a strong comeback by defeating Mumbai twice and becoming only the second team after Delhi Capitals (DC) to complete a league double over MI.
To kick off the chase, MI came up with a new opening pair of Hayley Matthews and Sajeevan Sajana. The move seemed to be aimed at getting quick runs at the top, with Sajana promoted ahead of G Kamalini. However, the plan did not work as Sajana managed just 10 runs. After that, none of the MI batters could convert their starts. Nat Sciver-Brunt scored 15 off 12, Matthews made 13 off 13, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur managed 18 off 21, while Nicola Carey was dismissed for six. As a result, MI were reduced to 69/5 in 11 overs.
Amanjot Kaur and Amelia Kerr then took the responsibility and tried to keep MI in the chase. The duo added 83 runs for the sixth wicket, playing some excellent shots, particularly against the UPW spinners. Despite their efforts, it proved too much in the end. Amanjot scored 41 off 24 while Amelia remained unbeaten on 49 off 28, but MI eventually suffered their third defeat of the season in five games. Apart from Asha Sobhana, all other UPW bowlers chipped in with wickets.
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Earlier, MI also had a disappointing day with the ball as they conceded 187/8 in 20 overs. Skipper Meg Lanning played a captain’s knock of 70 off 45, while Phoebe Litchfield supported her well with 61 off 37. The pair added 119 runs for the second wicket and laid a strong foundation. After their dismissals, MI bowlers pulled things back slightly and prevented UPW from crossing the 200-run mark, which looked achievable at one stage.
However, MI’s fielding let them down massively. They dropped three catches (Litchfield twice and Chloe Tryon once) and missed two run-out opportunities. Amelia Kerr was the standout performer with the ball for MI, picking up three wickets. She is now the leading wicket-taker of the season with 10 wickets in five innings.
Harmanpreet’s captaincy decisions also left fans puzzled. MI dropped their most experienced and genuine pacer, Shabnim Ismail, to include Hayley Matthews in the playing XI. As a result, Nalla Kranthi Reddy was handed her debut cap, but the 21-year-old pacer did not bowl a single over, which raised further questions.
UPW skipper Lanning was named the Player of the Match. Meanwhile, with three losses in five games, MI will now head into the Vadodara leg with several concerns to address.
Also Read: DC vs RCB, WPL 2026: Can Jemimah’s Delhi Capitals halt RCB’s flying start?
