The Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 is heading towards its business end, with the competition intensifying with each match. The heated atmosphere was on full display during the game between UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians, where MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur was involved in a fiery exchange with the umpire and UP Warriorz star Sophie Ecclestone.
The incident happened at the end of the 19th over when the umpire informed Harmanpreet that only three fielders would be allowed outside the circle in the final over due to Mumbai Indians' slow over-rate. The decision didn't sit well with Harmanpreet, who immediately confronted the umpire to argue her case. Adding to the tension, all-rounder Amelia Kerr, who was set to bowl the last over, also appeared visibly upset.
As the argument unfolded, Sophie Ecclestone, standing at the non-striker's end, walked up to the umpire to explain something. Her involvement further annoyed Harmanpreet, who pointed fingers at the English cricketer, seemingly asking her to mind her own business. Ecclestone, unfazed by the reaction, exchanged a few words before returning to her position.
Mumbai Indians cruise past UP Warriorz
Hayley Matthews smashed a 46-ball 68, while Amelia Kerr registered her best figures of 5/38 as Mumbai Indians stormed to a six-wicket win over UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League here on Thursday.
The former champions chased down 151 in just 18.3 overs, boosting their net run rate and jumping to second in the table with eight points, two behind leaders Delhi Capitals with a game in hand.
This was UP Warriorz's third consecutive defeat, leaving them on the brink of elimination.
Chasing a modest 151 on a dew-laden Ekana Stadium, MI lost Amelia Kerr (10) early, but Matthews took charge, hammering a 35-ball fifty in a match-winning 92-run stand with Nat Sciver-Brunt, the partnership coming off just 58 balls.
Earlier, opting to bowl, MI turned the game on its head with the New Zealand legspinner Kerr becoming the sixth player in WPL history to bag a fifer. UPW crumbled from 74/0 to 150/9, losing nine wickets for just 76 runs in the last 12.1 overs.
(With PTI Inputs)
