WPL | Twitter reacts as Warriorz collapse justifies Deol's surprise after being retired out on 47
When necessity stops being the mother of innovation and greed takes over, failure almost becomes an inevitability. Such was the case for UP Warriorz against Delhi Capitals in Navi Mumbai whose batting effort collapsed after they retired out Harleen Deol on 47, despite her looking in good touch.

UP Warriorz spurned a good start to end up with a subpar 154/8 after being asked to bat first in the Women's Premier League group stage encounter against Delhi Capitals, at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Wednesday. The Women in Yellow lost Kiran Navgire early for a duck, but a 47-run stand between the Australian pair of Phoebe Litchfield and Meg Lanning was followed by the latter stitching together 85 runs alongside Harleen Deol to establish a formidable launchpad for the team at 132/3, with four and a half overs to go. However, a strange tactical call by the Warriorz left them confused, and ended up spelling their doom with the bat in spectacular fashion.
Once Lanning fell, the onus fell on Deol to ensure the Warriorz post a good total. The Indian veteran had already laced seven boundaries on the day, three of which came in the two overs before Lanning's departure, and had made her way to 47 in 36 deliveries by the end of the 17th over. However, just as she seemed set to put on the burners for a final flourish, Chloe Tryon emerged from the Warriorz dugout in full batting attire and began doing her warm-ups close to the ropes. A second retired out in the WPL was on the cards with Anushka Sehrawat getting off to a slightly sluggish start by managing seven in six deliveries, a couple of nights after Gujarat Giants had effected it for the maiden time against Mumbai Indians by retiring out Ayushi Soni for 11 off 14. On that instance, the incoming Bharati Fulmali had justified what felt like an obvious call with a 15-ball 36. However, to Sehrawat and Deol's shock, it was the latter who was asked to walk off and sacrifice her wicket. Deol's eyes popped open wide in shock as she pointed at herself to confirm whether she had to walk off, before hanging her head distraught and walking off upon receiving confirmation. As it turned out, her replacement Tryon managed a solitary run in three deliveries before holing out, triggering a bizarre collapse that saw the Warriorz manage just 13 runs for the loss of four wickets in the period after Deol's departure.
Twitterati struggled to make sense of the tactical move enginerred by UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar and his staff.
Yup
Kal GG used retired out so now everyone wants to follow the trend, I know Harleen is not a good t20 batter but today she was doing good and you retire her just before her 50, imagine the toll it will take on her confidence
— Siya (@siyaagrawal18) January 14, 2026
Glad
Glad Abhishek Nayar is not an ICT coach anymore.
— VinJam (@Raghavanvinjam1) January 14, 2026
He can be so stupid at times. Moving players across batting positions every match. Forcing Harleen to retire out when she's close to a 50 while scoring sensibly, sending Deepti in lower order, that's just plain stupid. DC's chance. pic.twitter.com/kGa7Qiv5Jk
Epic
The most EP moment ever @UPWarriorz #WPL2026 #harleen #Harleendeol pic.twitter.com/1qZF4TkcIZ
— ndhi_ni_lolli (@ndhi_ni_lolli) January 14, 2026
Make way
Harleen Deol being retired at 47 of 31 makes no sense
— AayushKataria (@AKTalksSports) January 14, 2026
Seems like a thing being done for the sake of it, and the coach showing they are modern and cool
Retiring out should be something done in extreme times, and when a player is struggling, and you have someone significantly…
Foolish
Retiring out Harleen deol is most foolish decision ever made https://t.co/rKqgnFsFe6
— Badhri (@itisba3) January 14, 2026
He just doesn't
Nayar doesn't understand about girls feelings...Last game we all saw Dottin getting broke down instead of cheering her...he dropped her today...Didn't let Harleen to get her 50 which made her unhappy...how will you win if the girls are not happy in the team #WPL2026
— Sahil✨ (@Sahil4456799) January 14, 2026
Sad
Retiring out Harleen deol is most foolish decision ever made. https://t.co/iy3GhX351u
— Badhri (@itisba3) January 14, 2026
What are they on
UPW retired Harleen out when her strike rate was 130 while trying to rebuild their teams innings??
— SoN! 🦋💫 || Ignore & Fly 🥂🦋 (@fanatic_devil16) January 14, 2026
What are they on...deserve to loose for this disrespect alone!! pic.twitter.com/t9LWCvh576
Clown
Clown Abhishek Nayar retiring Harleen Deol for no obvious reason.
— Prabhdeep Singh (@Prabh7070) January 14, 2026
Still remember he had a funny stance and could barely hit a six during his career, UP Warriors should change this clown Coach. #WIPL #abhisheknayar #HarleenDeol
Bizzare
Today's retired out decision was kind of bizarre. Yesterday's was understandable but today Harleen was scoring. Yes her run-rate dipped but she actually does well after getting a 50, she could finish well since she was already settled. Nayar is doing way too much experiments.
— Ritwika Dhar (@RituD307) January 14, 2026

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