Clinical Mumbai Indians swat aside UP Warriorz to register fourth consecutive win

Mumbai Indians’ juggernaut keeps on rolling after they dished out another clinical performance against the UP Warriorz to register their fourth successive win of the ongoing WPL 2023. Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front for her side with an unbeaten half-century and was assisted by the experienced Nat Sciver-Brunt as the duo helped their side to a comfortable eight-wicket victory.

Mumbai Indians got off to a steady start as Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia took their time in the initial two overs. But the runs started flowing once the young Indian opener started finding the gaps. Matthews was reduced to being a mere spectator from the other end as her opening partner played some glorious shots to ensure a rollicking powerplay.

The contest was caught in a bizarre moment after Matthews was wrongly adjudged LBW by the third umpire. However, the right decision was eventually made to the relief of Mumbai Indians. UP Warriorz found a much-needed breakthrough when Yastika Bhatia was dismissed after a brisk 42 off just 27 deliveries.

The chase took another interesting turn after Mumbai Indians lost their second wicket in the form of the dangerous Carribean opener. However, Harmanpreet Kaur and Nat Sciver-Brunt dispatched any thoughts of a comeback by the UP Warriorz after the experienced pair put on a blistering 106-run partnership for the third wicket.

While the Mumbai skipper registered a swashbuckling half-century off just 31 deliveries, Nat Sciver too, remained unbeaten 45-run knock to put an end to the proceedings with a boundary and six to make it four wins in four games for the Mumbai-based franchise.

Mumbai Indians restrict UP Warriorz to a par total after Healy and Mcgrath’s onslaught

Earlier in the match, it was the Mumbai Indians who drew first blood after Devika Vaidya was caught plumb in front by Saika Ishaque in the second over of the match. But, Alyssa Healy, who went berserk in the previous match, ensured a strong powerplay for the UP Warriorz with a half-century stand alongside Kiran Navgire for the second wicket.

Navgire, who was looking to take on leg spinner Amelia Kerr, departed in the seventh over to bring Tahlia McGrath to the crease. That is when the UP-based outfit stepped their foot on the accelerator as the Aussie duo found the boundaries at regular intervals to put the Mumbai Indians under pressure.

Healy registered her second successive half-century of the tournament and was supported well by her menacing compatriot in a brisk 82-run stand for the third wicket. Warriorz were threatening to finish with a daunting total before Ishaque changed the complexion of the innings in her last over, dismissing both the set batters within three deliveries.