As on-field umpires had to step in and separate the two to avoid further escalation, Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur and UP Warriorz‘ Sophie Ecclestone got into a verbal altercation during their Thursday match.
When umpire Ajitesh Argal told Harmanpreet that she could have just three players outside the circle in the last over due to the slow over rate, the verbal war started at the end of the 19th over.
Harmanpreet reacted poorly to the decision and had a minor dispute with Argal. Upset also New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr added her voice to the discussion between her captain and the umpire.
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Ecclestone, who was at the other end of the field, headed toward Argal to clarify something simultaneously. Harmanpreet returned some words, her interference not well received.
Mumbai raced to a six-wicket win over the Warriorz as Hayley Matthews hit a 46-ball 68 and Kerr posted her best 5/38.
The former title-holders raced 151 in the second to last over, therefore improving their net run rate and shooting up to second on the table with eight points two behind front runner Delhi Capitals with a match in hand.
The third straight defeat of the Warriorz put them almost at the point of elimination. Early on at Ekana Stadium, which was wet with humidity, Mumbai lost Kerr (10) but Matthews took control, thrashing a 35-ball half-century in a game-winning 92-run link with Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Matthews reached her second fifty of WPL 2025 against the Warrioz from a sharp four between point and cover-point playing off the back foot and striking off the side.
Matthews hit a towering six over deep midwicket before sweeping Ecclestone for back-to-back fours once MI raced to a powerplay score of 50/1. Chinelle Henry was disassembled with Matthews.
Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma pulled off a great catch to end the partnership and dismiss Sciver-Brunt (37 from 23), but Mumbai still needed only 35 off 43 deliveries by then.
Matthews blasted a four via deep cover and a six across deep backward square leg in the next over after seamer Kranti Goud was shredded.
Next March 10, Mumbai next face the Gujarat Giants.
