On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, cricket fans are eagerly awaiting a thrilling encounter in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025. The Mumbai Indians Women (MIW) are set to face the UP Warriorz (UPW) at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The match is scheduled to begin at 7:30 PM local time. This game marks the first of two clashes between these teams this season, with the return fixture slated for March 6 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Historically, the MIW and UPW have faced off five times in the WPL. The Mumbai Indians have secured three victories, while the UP Warriorz have won twice. Notably, one of MI-W wins came during the Eliminator match in the inaugural season, where they triumphed by a significant margin of 72 runs.
Mumbai Indians Women: Team Overview
Led by the experienced Harmanpreet Kaur, the Mumbai Indians Women have consistently showcased strong performances. Kaur, renowned for her powerful batting, made history in 2018 as the first Indian woman to score a century in a T20 International match. She has amassed over 3,000 runs in T20Is, underscoring her pivotal role in the team’s batting lineup.
The team’s all-rounder contingent is formidable, featuring players like Hayley Matthews and Nat Sciver-Brunt. Matthews has been a consistent performer, contributing both with the bat and ball. Sciver-Brunt, another key all-rounder, has been instrumental in stabilizing the middle order and providing crucial breakthroughs with the ball.
UP Warriorz: Team Overview
The UP Warriorz, captained by Alyssa Healy, boast a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talents. Healy, a dynamic wicketkeeper-batter, has been a cornerstone of the team’s batting lineup. However, in a significant development, Healy has withdrawn from the current season due to personal reasons. The team has named West Indies’ Chinelle Henry as her replacement.
In Healy’s absence, the onus will be on players like Grace Harris and Tahlia McGrath to anchor the batting. McGrath has been in exceptional form, recording four half-centuries in the tournament, including an unbeaten 58 in a recent match.
The bowling department is spearheaded by the proficient left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone. Ecclestone has been a consistent wicket-taker, leading the bowling charts for the Warriorz. All-rounder Deepti Sharma adds depth to both batting and bowling, having achieved a historic hat-trick in the previous WPL season.
Dream11 Team Prediction
For fantasy cricket enthusiasts, assembling a balanced Dream11 team is crucial. Here are some top picks for the upcoming match:
Wicketkeeper:
- Grace Harris (UPW)
Batters:
- Harmanpreet Kaur (MIW)
- Tahlia McGrath (UPW)
- Yastika Bhatia (MIW)
All-rounders:
- Hayley Matthews (MIW)
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (MIW)
- Deepti Sharma (UPW)
- Sophie Ecclestone (UPW)
Bowlers:
- Amelia Kerr (MIW)
- Saika Ishaque (MIW)
- Rajeshwari Gayakwad (UPW)
This lineup offers a blend of experienced players and in-form talents, aiming to maximize points in fantasy leagues.
Match Prediction
Considering the current form and team compositions, the Mumbai Indians Women appear to have a slight edge. Their batting lineup is robust, and their bowlers have been delivering consistent performances. However, the UP Warriorz, despite the absence of their regular captain, have the potential to spring surprises, especially with match-winners like McGrath and Ecclestone in their ranks. Cricket enthusiasts can anticipate a closely contested match, with both teams eager to secure a vital win in the league stage.
For those unable to attend the match in person, live coverage will be available on the Star Sports network and can be streamed online via the Jio Cinema app. Ensure you tune in to witness this exciting clash in the Women’s Premier League 2025.
