In an impressive display of skill, Hayley Matthews scored 68 runs off just 46 balls, while Amelia Kerr achieved remarkable bowling figures of 5 for 38, leading Mumbai Indians to a convincing six-wicket victory over UP Warriorz in the Women’s Premier League on Thursday.
Mumbai Indians successfully chased down a target of 151 runs in only 18.3 overs. This victory boosted their net run rate and pushed them up to second place on the points table with eight points, just two points behind the Delhi Capitals, who are in the lead but have played one more game.
The loss marked the third defeat in a row for UP Warriorz, putting them in a difficult position as they edge closer to elimination from the tournament.
Batting first on a dewy Ekana Stadium pitch, Mumbai Indians lost Amelia Kerr early for 10 runs. However, Matthews quickly took charge of the innings, scoring a fifty off 35 balls. She formed a crucial 92-run partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt, which came off only 58 deliveries.
Matthews displayed her excellent batting skills, particularly with her powerful shots through the off-side. She reached her second half-century of the season against UP Warriorz with a well-placed boundary between point and cover.
Her aggressive approach included a massive six over deep midwicket off Chinelle Henry’s bowling, and she followed it up with two boundaries against Sophie Ecclestone, helping Mumbai reach 50 runs for the loss of one wicket in the powerplay.
Even though UP Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma made a stunning catch to dismiss Sciver-Brunt for 37 runs off 23 balls, Mumbai only needed 35 runs from the last 43 balls, making the pressure less intense.
The next over saw Matthews continue her assault, scoring a boundary and then another six over deep backward square leg before being dismissed for 68. Despite her exit, Yastika Bhatia came in swinging, hitting two boundaries off Deepti Sharma in the penultimate over, sealing the win with nine balls to spare.
Earlier in the match, Mumbai Indians chose to bowl first and changed the dynamics with Kerr making history as she became the sixth player in WPL to take five wickets in a single match. UP Warriorz started strongly, racing to 74 runs without losing a wicket after just 7.5 overs, with Voll scoring a brisk 50 on her WPL debut.
However, Mumbai found a way back into the game, taking three wickets in quick succession within 14 balls. Matthews dismissed Grace Harris after she scored 28, while Kerr accounted for both Kiran Navgire and Voll, who was bowled after attempting a scoop shot.
Kerr delivered a final blow in the last over, picking up two more wickets, including that of in-form Chinelle Henry for 6 runs, who had tried to take the attack to the bowlers.
From a strong position of 74/0, UP Warriorz faltered, crumbling to 150/9, losing nine wickets for just 76 runs in the final 12.1 overs.
