WPL 2024 Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz: Date, venue and time

Back-to-back half centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur have given both the 34-year-old and her side, Mumbai Indians, a dream start to their WPL 2024 campaign. (Image of Harmanpreet in India colours via X/@ImHarmanpreet)

Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, will take on Alyssa Healy’s UP Warriorz in the sixth match of WPL 2024 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday, February 28. The toss will take place at 7pm India time and the first ball is scheduled for 7:30pm.

WPL 2024 Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz: Recent form

Mumbai have flexed their defending champions muscle to a T, winning two from two games. After clinching a last-ball thriller against the Delhi Capitals, they romped to a five-wicket victory against Gujarat Giants. The Warriorz, on the other hand, have suffered two defeats on the trot. First, they went down to the Royal Challengers Bangalore in a last-ball humdinger before being handed a drubbing by the Capitals in their last fixture, on Monday.

Wednesday’s clash would also be a face-off between two (perceived) feisty rivals in international cricket: Harmanpreet, the India captain, and Australia skipper Alyssa Healy. In addition, it would be one that pits a well-balanced team against a side in dire need of some. Mumbai’s strength so far has hinged on optimising their overseas pool and benefiting from the performance of their Indian talent. By contrast, the Warriorz have been found wanting in both departments. If they are to make amends, expect one of Danni Wyatt or Chamari Athapaththu to replace Tahlia McGrath before it’s too late.

WPL 2024 Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz: Players to watch

Back-to-back half centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur have given both the 34-year-old and her side, Mumbai Indians, a dream start to their WPL 2024 campaign. Harmanpreet’s revival of form, after a low-returns international season spanning December and January, bodes well for the reigning champions.

Shweta Sehrawat, who turned 20 on the Warriorz’s last matchday, was the lone bright spot in their outing against the Capitals. Her 42-ball 45, featuring five fours and a six, at No. 5 lifted the Warriorz to 119. In their season opener, Sehrawat, the leading run-scorer during India’s title-winning Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup campaign in South Africa last year, had made a handy 25-ball 31.

WPL 2024 Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz: Squads

MI: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Amanjot Kaur, Amelia Kerr, Chloe Tryon, Hayley Matthews, Humaira Kazi, Issy Wong, Jintimani Kalita, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Pooja Vastrakar, Priyanka Bala, Saika Ishaque, Yastika Bhatia, Shabnim Ismail, S. Sajana, Amandeep Kaur, Fatima Jaer, and S.B. Keerthana

UPW: Alyssa Healy (c), Anjali Sarvani, Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris, Kiran Navgire, Chamari Athapaththu, Laxmi Yadav, Parshavi Chopra, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, S. Yashasri, Shweta Sehrawat, Sophie Ecclestone, Tahlia Mcgrath, Dani Wyatt, Vrinda Dinesh, Saima Thakor, Poonam Khemnar, Gouher Sultana

WPL 2024 Mumbai Indians vs UP Warriorz: Coaches

MI: Charlotte Edwards (England)

UPW: Jon Lewis (England)