A Comeback That Sealed the Fate
Mumbai Indians (MI) demonstrated a remarkable cricketing prowess with a well-executed comeback in their WPL 2025 match against UP Warriorz (UPW), securing a crucial six-wicket victory. This win propelled MI closer to the playoffs for the third consecutive year, while pushing UPW to the brink of elimination. Amelia Kerr’s five-wicket haul was the cornerstone of MI’s bowling performance, which saw them restrict UPW to a modest 150 for 9. In pursuit of this target, MI’s batting lineup, led by Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt, exhibited resilience and aggression, ultimately clinching the game with nine balls to spare.
The Fast-Bowling Duo’s Strategy
Despite the presence of Shabnim Ismail, who previously bowled the fastest ball in women’s cricket history, and Nat Sciver-Brunt, capable of swinging the ball at over 100 kph, MI adopted an intriguing strategy in their opening overs. The red-soil surface at the Ekana Stadium was expected to favor fast bowlers, but Ismail and Sciver-Brunt chose to bowl offcutters. This tactic seemed to aim at unsettling the UPW batters, particularly Georgia Voll, who had struggled in her debut match. Initially, the approach worked, as Voll and Harris found it challenging to get the ball away. However, Voll soon adapted, hitting three fours in quick succession and ending the powerplay with the team’s best start this season at 50 without loss.
Voll’s Heroic Turnaround
Georgia Voll’s performance was a highlight of the match, especially given her duck in the previous game. She wasted no time in making her presence felt, playing a confident and aggressive innings. Voll was the primary aggressor, striking three fours in her first few overs and then another off Matthews. Harris, her opening partner, also contributed significantly, ending the powerplay with back-to-back fours off Parunika Sisodia, the left-arm spinner MI brought in for Jintimani Kalita. Voll’s half-century came off just 29 balls, putting UPW in a strong position to post a competitive total.
The Batting Collapse
However, UPW’s promising start was followed by a familiar batting collapse. Hayley Matthews, known for her deceptive bouncers, outfoxed Harris with one such delivery, which she steer-pulled to short fine leg. Kiran Navgire’s brief innings ended with a second-ball duck, succumbing to a charging bouncer from Kerr. The crucial blow came when Voll, attempting a scoop, missed and was stumped by Sciver-Brunt. From 74 for 0, UPW slipped to 125 for 7, struggling to maintain momentum. Only Deepti Sharma provided some resistance, scoring 27 off 25 balls, but the lack of support from the middle order meant that UPW could muster only 61 runs in their last ten overs, falling short of a challenging total.
Matthews and Sciver-Brunt’s Dominance
In reply, MI’s batting lineup faced a minor setback when Kerr, promoted to open, was dismissed early. However, the team’s concerns were quickly alleviated as Matthews and Sciver-Brunt joined forces, forming a 92-run second-wicket partnership that effectively sealed the win. The dew conditions aided their run-scoring, with Deepti Sharma seen wiping the ball frequently during the powerplay. Kranti Goud bowled well initially, extracting swing, but a 16-run over from Gouher Sultana set the stage for MI’s onslaught. The highlight of the chase was the friendly yet competitive duel between Chinelle Henry and Matthews, where Henry’s aggressive deliveries met Matthews’ powerful responses, including a well-timed shot to the deep midwicket stands.
A Home Leg Marred by Defeat
UPW, hosting their "home leg" in Lucknow, found themselves on the back foot after two comprehensive defeats. The team’s inability to capitalize on strong starts, coupled with a tendency to crumble under pressure, has been a recurring theme. Despite Voll’s stellar innings, the middle-order collapse prevented UPW from posting a defendable total. MI, on the other hand, continue to solidify their position as a formidable chasing team, with this win pushing them to second on the points table. They now have eight points and a net run rate of 0.267 after six matches, setting up a crucial encounter against Gujarat Giants, who are third with six points and an NRR of 0.357. This match will be pivotal for both teams as they aim to secure their playoff spots.
