'Finally UP wale jag gaye' - Fans react as UP Warriorz open WPL 2024 account with comprehensive win over defending champions

UP Warriorz opened their account with a comprehensive win as defending champions Mumbai Indians tasted their first defeat in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024. The trend of the chasing team's dominance in the Bengaluru leg continued as Warriorz cruised to a seven-wicket victory at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Wednesday, February 28.

Mumbai, who were without their regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and star pacer Shabnim Ismail, were asked to bat first after losing the toss. Openers Hayley Matthews and Yastika Bhatia gave a solid start for the team. The two added a 50-run partnership before Grace Harris broke it in the eight over. However, that could not stop the momentum of MI as everyone who came to bat in, contributed their share effectively. 

Hanging at one end till the 15th over, Matthews top-scored with 55 runs off 47 balls. A collective batting effort till No. 6 saw MI post a competitive total of 161-6 in 20 overs. Alyssa Healy utilized six bowlers and all of them chipped in with one wicket each. 

Kiran Navgire sets the tone with a fine fifty 

Given the conditions and the pitch, MI were confident of defending the total, but Kiran Navgire set a solid platform for his team to make a smooth chase. A shoulder injury to Vrinda Dinesh gave Navgire the opportunity to open the innings alongside the skipper and she made full use of it. Both of them responded in the same manner as their opponent in the first innings.

MI captain Nat Sciver-Brunt was clueless about how to stop them from taking the match away. Navgire got out in the 10th over but ensured her team got off to a strong start with a 31-ball 57-run knock. However, from 94/0 UP-W slipped to 98/3 and the game was open again.

MI sniffed a comeback but Deepti Sharma and Grace Harris played wisely and an unbeaten 65-run stand to get the team through in the 17th over. Kiran Navgire won the Player of the Match for her brilliant display with the bat, scoring 57 off just 31 balls. 

Here's how fans reacted to UP-W registering their first win of the tournament: 

Lady version of Buttler🥵🔥 pic.twitter.com/t3u2gcv8yg

— Loner (@hanny_shaik2) February 28, 2024

Great captaincy by Alyssa healy

— untamedlense (@HajiraKhan77118) February 28, 2024

Thrashed Mi

— Saif Satti (@SaifArRehman) February 28, 2024

UP warriors back in the tournament...

— Hriday Singh (@hridaysingh16) February 28, 2024

A comprehensive win for UP Warriorz against Mumbai Indians.

— PM Deshma 🇮🇳 (@PmDeshma) February 28, 2024

Surprise opening combination . I am happy

— सिद्धार्थ बांसवार (@CMPUNK2050) February 28, 2024

Rise n Shine ⭐💪🏻

— NIDHI TM (@nidhitm12) February 28, 2024

Never Ever Ever bench @189Grace in any match

You have never won any match where Grace hasn't done well .....

Such is her impact !!!

— Endoplasmic Reticulum (@imVKohIi77) February 28, 2024

Congratulations UP

— Pushpendra Chahar (@Pushpendra8454) February 28, 2024

Fantastic win by Lucknow......

— Hriday Singh (@hridaysingh16) February 28, 2024