The UP Warriorz (UPW) are in a tough situation as the league phase of the 2023 Women’s Premier League (WPL) draws to a close.
Match 15 of the tournament will take place at the DY Patil Stadium on Saturday, March 18, as Alyssa Healy and Co. take on the unbeaten Mumbai Indians (MI). If they lose, and history has shown that sides who play MI generally do, they could have a hard time finishing in the top three and making the playoffs.
In their latest match, UPW lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). The top order was blown away by the RCB pacers under the lights, and not even another Grace Harris blitz could have saved them.
MI, on the other hand, beat the Gujarat Giants (GG) easily in their previous game. They are the only side to have officially confirmed their playoff position, and a top-of-the-table finish seems almost certain.
MI won by eight wickets in WPL 2023. Saika Ishaque took three wickets, while Yastika Bhatia, Nat Sciver-Brunt, and Harmanpreet scored important runs.
Would UPW be able to defeat Mumbai for the first time this season? Or will MI preserve their unbeaten record and undermine the Warriors’ playoff hopes?
Also Read: MI-W vs UP-W Dream11 Prediction: Top Fantasy Cricket Tips
Can Alyssa Healy and Co. topple the table-toppers in WPL 2023?
This afternoon game might play to UPW’s strengths. They have two world-class spinners in Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad is a lethal bowler when she’s on.
In terms of run-scoring, UPW are heavily reliant on their overseas batting trio of Alyssa Healy, Grace Harris, and Tahlia McGrath. In the reverse fixture, the former two scored fifty runs against MI, but in the previous game against RCB, they failed miserably.
Hayley Matthews’ form has waned slightly, but Yastika Bhatia has come into her own at the top of the order, while Sciver-Brunt and Harmanpreet have been consistently effective.
Since Pooja Vastrakar left the bowling attack, it hasn’t looked overly threatening, but UPW has clear weaknesses that can be exploited. While the Indian batters have contributed occasionally, the difference in skill between them and international bowlers has been evident.
There is a lot riding on this match and UPW will appreciate the afternoon match. They have a decent chance of winning the match, but their batting unit hasn’t inspired enough confidence to claim victory.
While MI are slight favorites, this could just as easily be their first WPL loss.
MI will win Match 15 of WPL 2023.
