WPL 2023: Mumbai Indians could do no ‘Wong’, beat UP Warriorz to set up final clash vs Delhi Capitals

A vocal crowd of 36,982 watched on as Mumbai Indians played its signature brand of cricket to beat UP Warriorz and set up a WPL summit clash date with Delhi Capitals on Sunday.

Issy Wong and Nat Sciver-Brunt starred in a mammoth 72-run win for the Mumbai Indians over UP Warriorz, which saw the women in blue advance to the final of the inaugural edition of the WPL. | Photo Credit: SPORTZPICS for WPL

Nat Sciver-Brunt’s unbeaten 72 off 38 balls and a hat-trick by Isabelle Wong (4 for 15) guided Mumbai Indians to the final of the Women’s Premier League, defeating UP Warriorz by 72 runs.

In a packed DY Patil Stadium on Friday, Warriorz captain Alyssa Healy won the toss and opted to bowl, but as the game progressed, the decision backfired.

Sciver-Brunt was on six when Sophie Ecclestone dropped a regulation catch off Rajeshwari Gayakwad at mid-off. Making the most of the opportunity, the England international guided Mumbai Indians to a mammoth 182/4.

Hoping to reap rewards from the surface, the Warriorz went spin-heavy in the innings, with 17 of the 20 overs bowled by the tweakers, and that proved effective initially as the side managed to keep runs in check. This despite Yastika Bhatia providing a blistering start before falling to Anjali Sarvani. However, Mumbai Indians bounced back, amassing 66 runs in the last five overs.

While Sciver-Brunt held fort with two fours and a six off Parshavi Chopra in the 12th over, a few solid cameos from Amelia Kerr (19-ball-29) and Pooja Vastrakar (11 not out off 4 balls) bolstered Mumbai’s innings amid huge crowd support.

In the 19th over, bowled by Ecclestone, Kerr hit three consecutive boundaries before falling to Sarvani at deep backward square. But even after that dismissal, Vastrakar provided the finishing touches with a boundary and a huge six to give Mumbai Indians more than enough on the board to work with.

Chasing a huge total, Warriorz needed a steady start, but spinner Saika Ishaque struck in her first over, removing Shweta Sehrawat for a solitary run. As the Mumbai players celebrated, the onus was on Kiran Navgire and captain Healy to rebuild the innings. But Wong denied Healy an opportunity to settle and drew her to offer a dolly to Harmanpreet Kaur at mid-off.

As a dejected Healy, who turned 33 on Friday, walked back to the dug-out, the television cameras caught her husband and Australia pace ace Mitchell Starc with a grim look.

WPL 2023: Mitchell Starc supports wife Alyssa Healy in crucial UP Warriorz vs Mumbai Indians clash

Having lost two quick wickets, the Warriorz could not bounce back, despite Navgire’s 27-ball-43. The big-hitting Navgire was dropped on 21 and, making most of the reprieve, wanted to anchor the innings. She however ran out of steam and was caught by Sciver-Brunt while trying to clear deep mid-wicket off a Wong delivery.

That set a brilliant hattrick in motion - the first of the season. Wong followed Navgire’s wicket by removing Simran Shaikh and Ecclestone. Reeling at 84 for 7, Warriorz needed a miracle to bounce back, but with Wong and Ishaque tightening the noose, their innings folded for 110 in 17.4 overs.

In the last couple of group league games, Warriorz’ middle-order was on fire with consistent performances from McGrath, Grace Harris and Ecclestone, but none of them could fire in the crunch fixture.

Tokyo Olympics medallist Neeraj Chopra was in attendance for the eliminator and he witnessed an all-round brilliance by Mumbai Indians as it dominated in every department to set up a Harmanpreet Kaur vs Meg Lanning final on Sunday.