‌WPL 2024 | Twitter reacts to batting prowess trump Mumbai as Warriorz go off the mark

Brief scores: MI: 161/6 (20)[ Hayley Matthews: 55 (47), Yastika Bhatia: 26(22); Grace Harris: 4-0-20-1] lost to UPW: 163/3 [Kiran Navgire: 57(31), Grace Harris: 38* (17); Issy Wong: 3-0-30-2]

Like any other day in the Bengaluru leg, the toss-winning team elected to field first, and a high-flying Mumbai Indians saw a 5-run opening stand on the back of Yastika Bhatia and Hayley Matthews’ effort. Although the former left for 22-ball 26, Nat-Sciver Brunt added 42 runs with a scratchy-looking Matthews for the second wicket before the former fell prey to a messy runout. With the scoreboard reading 92/2 in 12.5 overs, the defending champions could score just twenty runs until the second timeout at the cusp of the 16th over, for the loss of Matthews at 55 (47). Their middle-order batters including Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar and Issy Wong displayed quick cameos to help Mumbai post 161/6 at the end of the overs. 

In reply, the Uttar Pradesh-based unit got off to a rollicking start as the new opening partner, Kiran Navgire released the pressure off skipper Alyssa Healy with some flamboyant strokes inside the field restrictions. The tag team racked up 61 runs inside the powerplay that included Navgire striking four boundaries against Issy Wong in the third over. The right-handed duo continued the assault after the powerplay, leaving the scorecard at 75/0 in seven overs at the cusp of strategic timeout. Right after fetching her maiden WPL fifty in 25 balls, the 29-year-old was stumped in the tenth over. Tahlia McGrath and Alyssa Healy followed suit her in the next over off Wong, sprinkling some hope to the Mumbai side. However, Grace Harris and Deepti Sharma had other plans as the pair attacked the MI bowlers making them look toothless. While Deepti anchored the innings, Grace charged them to overhaul the chase with 21 balls to spare.

What a start she gave!

Kiran Navgire with a 25 ball fifty in the WPL. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/YEWCb5pV9N

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 28, 2024

MSD is a brand!

Die-hard MS Dhoni fangirl Kiran Navgire smashed 5th fastest fifty in history of WPL against defending champions MIW.



She started playing cricket only to meet Mahi 🥹💛



pic.twitter.com/KelUmcUWvr

— ` (@WorshipDhoni) February 28, 2024

She was striking it so cleanly!

Navgire set the tone for the chase with a smashing fifty💥#MIvUPW #CheerTheW #TATAWPLonJioCinema #TATAWPLonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #HarZubaanParNaamTera pic.twitter.com/38IzK6qnog

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) February 28, 2024

Brilliant!

Navgire set the tone for the chase with a smashing fifty💥#MIvUPW #CheerTheW #TATAWPLonJioCinema #TATAWPLonSports18 #JioCinemaSports #HarZubaanParNaamTera pic.twitter.com/38IzK6qnog

— JioCinema (@JioCinema) February 28, 2024

She was on fire!

Played, Navgire 🫡

— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) February 28, 2024

That's how you do it!

Kiran Navgire smashed 57 off 31 balls and that too against Mumbai Indians🥵🔥 pic.twitter.com/N9lrWwACVI

— Div🦁 (@div_yumm) February 28, 2024

Appreciate her knock!

Well Played Kiran Navgire #MIvUPW pic.twitter.com/6lHO0wvPEh

— Pandu Raju (@CSKianPaanduRaj) February 28, 2024

Sheer carnage!

A MATCH WINNING FIFTY BY KIRAN NAVGIRE🔥🔥..!!



FUTURE OF WOMEN'S CRICKET🔥🔥😍😍..!!! #IshanKishan #ShreyasIyer #HardikPandya #ViratKohli #RohitSharma #CricketTwitter #WPL2024 #PSL9 #MIvUPW #trainaccident #TATAWPL2024 #KiranNavgirepic.twitter.com/CzCySl3tak

— Arpita Singhal (@Arpita_singhal2) February 28, 2024

She bought them back there!

Two big wickets in an over, courtesy Issy Wong 🔥🔥

Wong removes healy.

MI are now a bit in game.#TATAWPL #MIvUPW #UPWarriorz pic.twitter.com/EjcpphE7P9

— Shahid wani (@shayu9682) February 28, 2024

Good picks!

Two big wickets in an over, courtesy Issy Wong 🔥🔥

Wong removes healy.

MI are now a bit in game.#TATAWPL #MIvUPW #UPWarriorz pic.twitter.com/EjcpphE7P9

— Shahid wani (@shayu9682) February 28, 2024