WPL 2023: Mumbai Indians return to old rhythm, one-sided victory over UP in Eliminator

Mumbai Indians thrashed UP Warriors by 72 runs in the Eliminator here on Friday, following a brilliant batting performance from Natalie Sciver Brunt (72 not out) and a maiden hat-trick from fast bowler Issy Wong (4/15) of the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL). Entered the final of the tournament in which they will face Delhi Capitals. Mumbai Indians posted a challenging 182 for four after being put into bat by Siever Brunt’s half-century studded with nine fours and two sixes. In response to this target, the team of UP Warriors got reduced to 110 runs in 17.4 overs. The team had to bear the brunt of poor performance in fielding and shot selection of the batsmen. For that only Kiran Navgire was able to face the bowlers of Mumbai Indians. He played a quickfire inning of 43 runs in 27 balls with four fours and three sixes. But no other batsman could score more than 20 runs. For Mumbai Indians, Wong created history in his third and team’s 13th over by claiming the wickets of Navgire, Simran Sheikh and Sophie Eccleston in three consecutive balls to claim his first hat-trick of the tournament. Apart from them, Saika Ishaq took two wickets for 24 runs while Siever Brunt, Hayley Mathews and Jintimani Kalita got one wicket each.