WPL 2023, Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz, Eliminator: Best memes from the game

Mumbai Indians defeated UP Warriorz by 72 runs to enter the final of the inaugural WPL

Published - 24 Mar 2023, 22:56 IST | Updated - 24 Mar 2023, 22:32 IST

12 Min Read

The inaugural edition of the Women’s Premier League is heading towards an end as the knockout game of the tournament got underway on Friday, March 24. Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz locked horns in the Eliminator at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. UP captain Alyssa Healy won the toss and invited Mumbai to bat first in the big game.

Mumbai got off to a decent start as opener Yastika Bhatia scored a flurry of boundaries in the first few overs. However, she couldn’t continue for long as Anjali Sarvani got rid of her in the fifth over with 21 runs. Following her dismissal, Nat Sciver-Brunt came to the crease, determined to leave her mark in the big game, and added 38 runs with Hayley Matthews for the second wicket.

Matthews was sent on her way back to the pavilion by Parshavi Chopra after scoring a run-a-ball 26. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur also departed cheaply to leave her side at 104/3 after 12.5 overs. At the other end, Brunt continued her knock and kept the scoreboard moving.

She went on to score a magnificent 72* off 38 balls smacking nine fours and two sixes in her innings. Good cameos by Melie Kerr (29 off 19) and Pooja Vastrakar (11 off 4) took Mumbai to 182/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Sophie Ecclestone was the pick of the bowlers for UP who picked up 2/39 in four overs.

In reply, UP got off to a miserable start as Saika Ishaque dismissed Shweta Sehrawat in the second over leaving UP at 8/1 after two overs. However, it was Issy Wong who picked the prized scalp of Alyssa Healy in the second over to send shockwaves in the UP camp.

Matters got worse for UP as Tahlia McGrath got run out in the fifth over to leave the team reeling at 21/3 after 4.1 overs. Despite losing partners from the other end, Kiran Navgire played positively and kept finding boundaries.

Issy Wong's hat-trick sealed the deal for Mumbai

She played a brilliant knock of 43 off 27 balls and was dismissed by Issy Wong as she tried to smack a full toss out of the boundary but got caught deep mid-wicket. Wong further dismissed Simran Shaikh and Sophie Ecclestone off consecutive deliveries and etched her name in the history books as she claimed the first hat-trick of WPL.

UP went from 84/5 to 86/7 after Wong’s over and were brought down on their knees. There wasn't much left in the game as UP were dismissed on 110, handing a 72-run victory to Mumbai. Issy Wong finished her spell on 4/15 in four overs while Saika Ishaque also picked up two wickets. Courtesy of this win, Mumbai sealed their place in the final against Delhi Capitals to be played on Sunday, March 26 at Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

Here are the best memes from the match:

Mumbai Indians

@mipaltan

A first WPL wicket for Jinti! 💙 Knocked the stumps! \ | / 💥 #OneFamily #MumbaiIndians #AaliRe #WPL2023 #MIvUPW

Shakti Man 💥@IamShaktiMann

@mipaltan MI womens qualified for finals & will be top contender to win the maiden WPL just like their Men's team. Mumbai Indians fans to MIW be like:)