Mumbai Indians were the form team for the most part of the league phase in the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) but lost steam at the most crucial juncture to lose the top spot on the points table and a direct entry into the WPL 2023 final.
Having finished second on the basis of NRR (net run rate), the Harmanpreet Kaur-led MI will take on UP Warriorz in the Eliminator on Friday for a spot in the final against Delhi Capitals.
Interestingly, it was UP Warriorz who brought an end to Mumbai’s winning streak. MI were on a five-game winning streak from five matches when they lost to UPW by five wickets. They would then go on to lose to DC, with the two straight losses costing them the top spot on the points table.
MI vs UPW, WPL 2023 Eliminator: When and where to watch
For UPW, the victory against Mumbai eased their entry into the playoffs before a win over Gujarat Giants confirmed the qualification.
While MI may have revenge on their minds in the Eliminator, UPW would be looking to continue their late surge and sneak into the final.
For MI to win they will hope for their top-four batters — Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia, Harmanpreet and Nat Sciver-Brunt — to fire again. Most of their wins have been scripted on the back of the top order making the bulk of the runs, but their failure in the games against UPW and DC, cost them the top spot on the points table.
In their four-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the last league phase game, No 5 Amelia Kerr slammed 31 not out while No 6 Pooja Vstrakar made a crucial 19 which helped MI to pull off a confidence-boosting win ahead of the Eliminator. And the management will hope the middle and lower order once against stands tall in the playoff game if called upon.
For UPW, middle-order batter Tahlia McGrath has been the biggest match-winner. The Australian has scored 295 runs so far and is currently second on the list for highest run-getters in WPL 2023. Captain Alyssa Healy has amassed 242 runs but others have not impressed in the same manner.
On the bowling front, Kerr (13 wickets), Saika Ishaque (13) and Matthews (12) have been in top form for MI and are second, third and fourth respectively on the wicket-takers chart. Leading the table is UPW’s Sophie Ecclestone with 14 wickets.
With both sides consisting of multiple match-winners, a thrilling Eliminator is guaranteed.
Squads:
Mumbai Indians: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia(w), Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Issy Wong, Amanjot Kaur, Humaira Kazi, Jintimani Kalita, Saika Ishaque, Chloe Tryon, Heather Graham, Dhara Gujjar, Sonam Yadav, Neelam Bisht, Priyanka Bala
UP Warriorz: Alyssa Healy(w/c), Shweta Sehrawat, Simran Shaikh, Tahlia McGrath, Kiran Navgire, Deepti Sharma, Sophie Ecclestone, Anjali Sarvani, Parshavi Chopra, Soppadhandi Yashasri, Shabnim Ismail, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Grace Harris, Devika Vaidya, Lauren Bell, Shivali Shinde, Laxmi Yadav
Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,
India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Sports News Click Here
For the latest news and updates, follow us on Google News.
Denial of responsibility! NewsAzi is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.
