A clinical performance with bat and ball by UP Warriorz saw them take the double over defending champions Mumbai Indians to continue their WPL 2026 revival with a 22-run win in Navi Mumbai. The two teams met a couple of days ago and saw the Warriorz break their losing streak and secure their first points of the season. It was more of a routine win for the Warriorz on Saturday, January 17 after they were asked to bat first in Navi Mumbai.
The shift didn’t start for Lanning and Co. best as Kiran Navgire’s poor run of form continued and the always impressive Nicola Carey cleaned her up. Lanning and Phoebe Litchfield came together and knew they had to make sure the innings didn’t fall apart like they did earlier in the season. Litchfield has proven to be a massive signing for the Warriorz, and Lanning continues to defy her age and stay consistent as the duo begins to battle the pitchers.
UPW vs MI WPL 2026 Highlights
The boundaries began to flow regularly in each over as the duo brought up fifty in the over. The onslaught continued from the Warriorz, with Harmanpreet Kaur’s bowling changes not working. Lanning was the first to get a fifty off 34 balls in the 10th over and Litchfield were not far behind as they started ripping Amanjot Kaur to get to their half-century. But that over served as the end for the Australian southpaw as she was out despite getting 20 from the over.
The same scenario followed in the next over from Lanning and Matthews as the Warriorz skipper got 12 off the first four balls before perishing on 70 off 45 balls. At this point, UP were 138 for three in 14 overs and 200 seemed on the cards.
But Harleen Deol, the heroine of the final tie between the two, and Chloe Tryon were just struggling to find a rhythm in the first few turns they met. That ended up being the difference for the innings as they got underway, but 200 runs out.
Five wickets fell in the last two overs for the Warriors as they posted a strong 187 at the end.
MI opening matches
Since the beginning of this season, Mumbai have struggled to find stability right at the top of the innings. They initially went with Kamalini and Amelia Kerr because Matthews was injured. That just didn’t work and then they went for another exchange with Matthews.
That too fell through and Amanjot Kaur was used as an opener in the last game as Kamalini struggled for runs and explosiveness at the top.
MI opening pairings in first 5 games
G Kamalini – A Kerr
G Kamalini – H Matthews
G Kamalini – A Kaur
H Matthews – S Sajana
On Saturday, they sent S Sajan and Matthews to open, and it was the latter who exploded. Sajana provided the brief fireworks but it was a day MI needed to kick on and get a big score. Instead it fell cheaply and Goud was given the wicket.
Ecclestone then sacked Matthews and the Warriors were on top. In the last two games, discipline has returned to the bowling department and Abhishek Nayar was happy to see his side continue to do so. Even though the boundaries came, MI scored just 38 runs in their power play, which you wouldn’t want when you want to win by 188.
Soon after, Shikha Pandety dismissed Nat-Sciver Brunt to put the Warriorz on top. Harmanpreet Kaur looked to be the key to the chase but departed soon after and MI lost their fifth wicket with just 69 runs on the board and 11 overs bowled.
Lanning got a brief scare as Amanjot and Kerr began to flex their muscles and the fans slowly found their voice. The duo added 83 off 45 balls and Amanjot scored 41 off 24 balls. Pandey sealed the game by dismissing the all-rounder and giving away 3 runs in the 19th over.
For MI, the constant changing and chopping at the top is something they need to stop. With Matthews back, they now need someone to trust as they did with Yastika Bhatia.
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Published on:
January 17, 2026