In one of the most compelling turnaround stories of the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, Harleen Deol overcame the disappointment of a controversial retired out incident to play a match-winning innings just 24 hours later. Her unbeaten 64 helped UP Warriorz Women chase down a strong target against the Mumbai Indians Women at the Dr DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, securing the team’s first victory of the season.
Controversial 'retired out' sparks debate
Deol’s emotional journey this week began in the previous match against the Delhi Capitals, where she was controversially retired out while batting on 47, a tactic rarely seen in T20 cricket and one that instantly sparked debate among fans and pundits. The decision, taken by the UP Warriorz leadership to accelerate the innings, didn’t go down well with many observers, who felt Deol was well-set and building momentum before being called off.
Immediate redemption on the field
Just a day later, in Match 8 of WPL 2026, Deol delivered a spectacular response. Chasing a competitive 162 set by Mumbai Indians Women, she played with intent and aggression, finishing unbeaten on 64 off 39 balls. Her innings included crisp boundaries and intelligent shot selection that kept the required rate in check and eased the pressure on her teammates.
Deol also put together a strong partnership with Chloe Tryon, which ultimately saw UP Warriorz cruise to a seven-wicket win with overs to spare: a result that turned heads in the WPL circuit.
Praise floods in
The cricketing community reacted positively to Harleen’s performance. Fans and analysts alike praised her resilience and temperament for turning around a potentially deflating episode into a match-winning statement. Many social media users labelled her innings as one of the standout comebacks of WPL 2026 so far.
Impact on UP Warriorz campaign
The win marks a crucial moment for UP Warriorz, who had struggled early in the tournament. Deol’s match-winning knock not only helped end their winless streak but also injected much-needed belief into the squad as the league stage progresses.
