In a thrilling display of aggressive batting, Harleen Deol smashed her way to 64 runs off just 33 balls, featuring a staggering 12 fours, to lead UP Warriorz to their maiden victory in the Women’s Premier League. The match against Mumbai Indians at the Brabourne Stadium saw UP Warriorz chase down a modest target of 149 with overs to spare, ending a string of disappointing performances.
Harleen’s innings was the standout performance on a pitch that offered little assistance to batters early on. She walked in at number three after early setbacks and immediately took the attack to the bowlers. Her shot selection was impeccable, punishing any width or short ball with authority. The boundaries flowed as she reached her half-century in record time, igniting the spirits of the UP Warriorz camp.
Supporting Harleen was a solid contribution from the lower order, but it was her explosive knock that set the tone. Mumbai Indians’ bowlers, led by Issy Wong and Hayley Matthews, struggled to contain the onslaught. Wong, in particular, bore the brunt, conceding multiple boundaries in her spell.
The victory marks a crucial turning point for UP Warriorz, captained by Alyssa Healy, who has been under pressure after back-to-back losses. Healy praised Harleen’s maturity and fearless approach post-match, stating, ‘She batted like a woman possessed today.’ With this win, UP Warriorz climb up the points table, boosting their playoff aspirations in the high-stakes WPL tournament.
Fans witnessed vintage T20 cricket, with Harleen’s innings drawing comparisons to some of the best chases in women’s cricket history. As the league progresses, all eyes will be on this young star to deliver more such performances.