In a thrilling Women’s Premier League encounter, UP Warriors stunned Mumbai Indians with a commanding 22-run victory, fueled by a sensational century partnership between Alyssa Healy’s opening duo, Lauren Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield.
The duo’s aggressive batting set the tone at the Brabourne Stadium, where UP Warriors posted a formidable total of 192/4 in their 20 overs. Lanning, the explosive opener, smashed 76 off 42 balls, while Litchfield contributed a fluent 65 off 38 deliveries. Their 141-run stand for the first wicket dismantled Mumbai’s bowling attack early, leaving the defending champions chasing shadows.
Mumbai Indians started strongly with openers Yastika Bhatia and Shafali Verma, but UP’s bowlers struck back. Rajeshwari Gayakwad claimed crucial wickets, finishing with 3/27, while Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance sealed the deal. Despite a valiant 54 from Harmanpreet Kaur, Mumbai folded at 170/8, handing UP their first win of the season.
Captain Alyssa Healy praised her openers post-match: ‘That partnership was game-changing. We backed our batting depth.’ This victory catapults UP Warriors up the points table, intensifying the race in WPL 2024.
Fans are buzzing about Lanning’s return to form after a lean patch, and Litchfield’s emergence as a T20 star. With playoff spots heating up, both teams gear up for tougher battles ahead.