WPL 2023: Mumbai Indians faced their first defeat after brilliant performances from Grace Harris & Tahila Mcgrath

Grace Harris and Tahlia McGrath's brilliance during the chase helped UP Warriorz to hand over Mumbai Indians their first defeat of the ongoing WPL 2023 campaign on Saturday. Chasing the target of 128, Harris hit 39 off 28 balls while McGrath played a cameo of 38 off 25 balls. Earlier, english star left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone (3/15) led the way with her excellent bowling as UP Warriorz bowled out the formidable Mumbai Indians for 127 in their Women's Premier League match in Mumbai on Saturday. If it has not been for Issy Wong's 19-ball 32, MI would have ended with much less than what they finally got. After their skipper Alyssa Healy deciding to field first, the UP Warriorz bowlers did a brilliant job to keep things in control against the strong and in-form Mumbai batting line-up.

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WPL 2023: Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz: Match Report

Sophie Ecclestone, Gayakwad & Deepti Sharma restricted MI to a low Score

UP Warriorz skipper Alyssa Healy decided to field first as their bowlers did a commendable job to keep things tight and take wickets at regular moments against the strong Mumbai batting line-up. MI were 56 for two at the end of the 10th over with Hayley Matthews (35) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (25) looking to build a partnership after the departure of Yastika Bhatia (5) and Nat Sciver-Brunt (7). Both Hayley and Kaur got out after a positive touch. The India captain fell in front of Deepti Sharma. Amelia Kerr (3) lasted just five balls before being sent back by Rajeshwari Gayakwad. The Warriorz reduced Mumbai Indians to 78 for five at the start of the 14th over Issy Wong fought alone to help Mumbai reach to a respected total.

Amanjot Kaur failed also to make an impression with the bat as she fell to the brilliance of Ecclestone. She picked up three wickets in as many over at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy. While Ecclestone did bulk of the damage, the others supported her well and made MI's work hard for every single run. Gayakwad also had a good day as she ended the spell with fine figures of two for 16. Deepti finished with figures of 2/35.

Grace Harris & Tahila Mcgrath led UP Warriorz to a massive win against the strong Mumbai side

UPW lost Devika Vaidya with just one run on the board at the start of the second over. The successful bowler for Mumbai was Hayley Matthews as most of the credit for Devika's dismissal must go to the skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, who pulled off a sensational catch at first slip after the batter got a thick outside edge.

Issy Wong picked up the big wicket of UPW captain Alyssa Healy (8), trapping her in front of the wicket. Defending a small but tricky total on this surface, MI found another reason to celebrate when Yastika Bhatia completed a fantastic one-handed diving catch behind the wicket. Nat Sciver-Brunt sent back Kiran Navgire for 12, for which she consumed 16 balls. UPW were in a spot of 27 with the loss of 3 wickets in the beginning of seventh over. MI picked up three wickets quickly but they also dropped three catches, which proved to be crucial in the end.

With a brilliant company of Harris, Tahlia McGrath smashed a 25-ball 38 before Amelia Kerr took the wicket. Harris didn't stop there but hit two successive fours on three occasions to reduce the gap. There was another twist after Kerr dismissed Harris at a crucial stage, but UPW held their nerves to emerge winners against the mighty Mumbai Indians in the 15th match of WPL 2023.