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The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 has reached a fascinating juncture as we move into Match 10. The DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai is set to host a high-stakes "reverse fixture" between the UP Warriorz (UPW) and the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI). Just 48 hours ago, these two giants clashed in a game that turned the points table on its head, and now, they meet again on Saturday afternoon to settle the score before the tournament shifts base to Vadodara.
What happened in yesterday's match? First read our Last Match Highlights article and then watch this preview: [Read Here]"
The Redemption of Harleen Deol and the UP Momentum
The narrative surrounding the UP Warriorz has shifted dramatically. After starting the season with three consecutive losses, the Meg Lanning-led side looked like they were fading away. However, Thursday night changed everything.
Harleen Deol’s unbeaten 64 off 39 balls was more than just a match-winning knock; it was a statement. After being "retired out" in the previous game—a move that sparked massive debate in the cricketing world—Deol responded with pure class, guiding UPW to a 7-wicket victory over MI.
Key Factors for UP Warriorz:
Meg Lanning’s Leadership: Moving from Delhi Capitals to UPW this season, Lanning has brought a tactical edge. She is currently chasing the top spot for the highest run-scorer in WPL history, sitting just behind Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Phoebe Litchfield’s Firepower: Litchfield has been the standout performer for UPW, amassing 150 runs in 4 matches at a blistering strike rate of 161.29.
Spin Mastery: Sophie Ecclestone and Deepti Sharma remain the backbone of the bowling unit. In the previous game, they successfully choked MI’s middle order during the powerplay.
Mumbai Indians: Defending Champions Look to Bounce Back
Despite their recent loss, Mumbai Indians remain one of the most formidable units in WPL 2026. With 2 wins and 2 losses, Harmanpreet Kaur’s side is currently 2nd on the points table. The big question for MI fans is the return of the "Hayle-storm"—Hayley Matthews. Her unavailability has forced MI to tinker with their opening combination, which has struggled to find rhythm.
The MI Powerhouse Stats:
| Player | Runs in WPL 2026 | Strike Rate | Top Score |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 181 | 160.18 | 74* |
| Nat Sciver-Brunt | 139 | 151.09 | 70* |
| Nicola Carey | 131 | 155.95 | 32* |
Nat Sciver-Brunt has been the MVP for Mumbai this season, recently becoming the first player in WPL history to cross the 1,000-run milestone. Her all-round ability (5 wickets alongside her 139 runs) makes her the biggest threat to the Warriorz.
Pitch and Conditions: The Afternoon Advantage
Unlike the night matches where dew has played a massive "12th man" role for the chasing teams, Match 10 is an afternoon start (3:00 PM IST).
No Dew Factor: The toss becomes slightly less lopsided. Bowlers won't have to struggle with a wet ball.
Historical Trends: In the only other afternoon game this season, Gujarat Giants posted a massive 207 against UPW. This suggests that the DY Patil surface remains a "belter" under the sun.
Spin Impact: As the game progresses, the heat might cause the pitch to slow down, bringing the likes of Amelia Kerr (7 wickets this season) and Sophie Ecclestone into play.
Tactical Matchups to Watch
Meg Lanning vs. Shabnim Ismail: A battle of two legends. Ismail’s pace vs. Lanning’s surgical precision in the powerplay.
Harmanpreet Kaur vs. Deepti Sharma: Harmanpreet loves to sweep, but Deepti’s variations have often troubled the Indian skipper in domestic circuits.
The Finisher’s Duel: Chloe Tryon (UPW) showed her muscle with a 27-run cameo on Thursday, while Nicola Carey (MI) has been the dark horse of the tournament, consistently providing late-inning flourishes.
Conclusion: A Battle for Top-Tier Dominance
This match is the final hurdle in the Navi Mumbai leg. For the UP Warriorz, a win here would mean back-to-back victories against the champions and a leap toward the top three. For Mumbai Indians, it is about re-establishing their dominance and fixing the opening stand issues before they head to Vadodara on Monday.
Expect a high-scoring thriller where the "Cool" of Meg Lanning meets the "Fire" of Harmanpreet Kaur.
As the high-octane Navi Mumbai leg of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 draws to a close, Match 10 presents a mouth-watering "grudge match" between the UP Warriorz (UPW) and the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI).
After UPW’s stunning upset on Thursday, Saturday’s afternoon clash at the DY Patil Stadium is set to be a tactical masterclass. Here is a deep dive into the numbers, records, and the predicted setups for this blockbuster encounter.
Women’s Cricket Live Scores & Match Updates
1- Total Domination: India Women Complete Historic 5-0 Clean Sweep Against Sri Lanka
Head-to-Head: The Rivalry in Numbers
While Mumbai Indians have historically dominated this fixture, the tide is beginning to turn. The Warriorz have now beaten the champions in three separate seasons, proving they have the blueprint to dismantle the "Blue and Gold" juggernaut.
As the high-octane Navi Mumbai leg of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 draws to a close, Match 10 presents a mouth-watering "grudge match" between the UP Warriorz (UPW) and the defending champions, Mumbai Indians (MI).
After UPW’s stunning upset on Thursday, Saturday’s afternoon clash at the DY Patil Stadium is set to be a tactical masterclass. Here is a deep dive into the numbers, records, and the predicted setups for this blockbuster encounter.
Head-to-Head: The Rivalry in Numbers
While Mumbai Indians have historically dominated this fixture, the tide is beginning to turn. The Warriorz have now beaten the champions in three separate seasons, proving they have the blueprint to dismantle the "Blue and Gold" juggernaut.
| Feature | Mumbai Indians (MI) | UP Warriorz (UPW) |
| Total Matches | 8 | 8 |
| Wins | 5 | 3 |
| Highest Score | 182/4 | 197/8 |
| Lowest Score | 113/10 | 110/10 |
| Last Encounter | Jan 15, 2026 | UPW won by 7 wickets |
Predicted Playing XI: Tactical Shifts
Both teams are grappling with selection headaches, albeit for different reasons. MI is sweating on the fitness of Hayley Matthews, while UPW is finally finding its "perfect" balance.
Mumbai Indians (MI) - Predicted XI
Yastika Bhatia (WK)
Hayley Matthews (if fit) / G Kamalini
Nat Sciver-Brunt (The 1,000-run milestone holder)
Harmanpreet Kaur (C) (Current Orange Cap contender)
Amelia Kerr
Nicola Carey
Sajeevan Sajana
Amanjot Kaur
Pooja Vastrakar / Saika Ishaque
Shabnim Ismail
Sanskriti Gupta
UP Warriorz (UPW) - Predicted XI
Meg Lanning (C)
Kiran Navgire
Phoebe Litchfield (Leading run-scorer for UPW)
Harleen Deol (Fresh off a match-winning 64*)
Deepti Sharma
Deandra Dottin
Chloe Tryon
Shweta Sehrawat (WK)
Sophie Ecclestone (World No. 1 Bowler)
Shikha Pandey
Asha Sobhana
Pitch Report: The "Afternoon" Twist
The DY Patil Stadium has been a batter's paradise this season, but the 3:00 PM start changes the dynamics significantly:
Heat & Wear: Unlike the night games, the sun will be out, which might cause the surface to dry up. This traditionally aids spinners like Amelia Kerr and Sophie Ecclestone who can find more grip and turn.
Target Score: On this ground, 170-180 is considered par for an afternoon game. Gujarat Giants recently posted 207 here during the day, suggesting that if the openers fire, no target is safe.
Toss Factor: Captains will likely look to bat first. Setting a target in the heat and then using the slowing pitch to defend is a proven winning strategy for afternoon matches in Mumbai.
Players to Watch: Stats & Impact
1. Harmanpreet Kaur (MI)
The MI skipper is in the form of her life. With 181 runs in just 4 innings and an average of 90.50, she is the heartbeat of Mumbai’s middle order. Her ability to dismantle spin will be crucial against UP’s triple-threat of Deepti, Ecclestone, and Asha.
2. Phoebe Litchfield (UPW)
Litchfield has been a revelation, striking at 161.29. She currently holds the record for the fastest fifty of the season (24 balls) and will be the "prize wicket" for the MI bowlers.
3. Amelia Kerr (MI)
Kerr is currently the leading wicket-taker for Mumbai with 7 scalps. In a day game, her leg-spin becomes twice as dangerous.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When and where is the match happening?
The match (WPL 2026, Match 10) is scheduled for Saturday, January 17, 2026. It will take place at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai, with the toss at 2:30 PM IST and the first ball at 3:00 PM IST.
Why is this called a "reverse fixture"?
In the WPL, teams play each other twice in the group stages. Because the schedule is compact, UP Warriorz and Mumbai Indians are meeting for the second time in just 48 hours. UPW won the first encounter on Thursday night by 7 wickets.
Will Hayley Matthews play in this match?
Matthews was rested for the previous game against UPW as part of a workload management program following a shoulder niggle. While Nicola Carey has been in excellent form, MI may bring Matthews back for this afternoon game to bolster their struggling opening partnership.
How does the afternoon start affect the game?
Unlike the evening games where dew makes bowling second difficult, this 3:00 PM start means:
No Dew: Bowlers will have a better grip on the ball throughout both innings.
Spin Advantage: The afternoon heat may dry out the pitch, offering more turn and grip for spinners like Sophie Ecclestone and Amelia Kerr.
Toss Strategy: Captains often prefer to bat first in day games to set a target while the pitch is at its best, avoiding the fatigue of fielding in the sun.
What is the head-to-head record between UPW and MI?
Across all seasons of the WPL (up to Jan 17, 2026):
Total Matches: 8
Mumbai Indians Won: 5
UP Warriorz Won: 3
Recent Form: UPW won the most recent clash on Thursday, January 15, 2026.
Who are the current top performers for both teams?
Mumbai Indians: Captain Harmanpreet Kaur is a leading contender for the Orange Cap with 181 runs (Avg: 90.50), and Amelia Kerr leads their bowling with 7 wickets.
UP Warriorz: Phoebe Litchfield has been their most consistent batter with 150 runs, while Harleen Deol is fresh off a match-winning 64*.
As we head into Match 10 on January 17, 2026, the WPL points table is reaching a critical "separation point." While Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is currently in a league of its own, the battle for the remaining two playoff spots is wide open.
Here is how the teams stand today and what this specific UPW vs MI clash means for the standings:
WPL 2026 Points Table (As of Jan 17, AM)
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | Pts | NRR |
| 1 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 | +1.828 |
| 2 | Mumbai Indians | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | +0.469 |
| 3 | Gujarat Giants | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -0.319 |
| 4 | Delhi Capitals | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | -0.833 |
| 5 | UP Warriorz | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 | -0.906 |
What’s at Stake for Match 10?
1. For Mumbai Indians (The Opportunity to Pressure RCB)
A win today would take Mumbai to 6 points, equal with RCB. While their Net Run Rate (NRR) is currently much lower than RCB’s (+0.469 vs +1.828), a massive win could bridge that gap. More importantly, it would create a 2-point cushion between them and the middle-of-the-pack teams.
2. For UP Warriorz (The Survival Fight)
UPW is currently at the bottom of the table. A second consecutive win against Mumbai would be a massive boost.
If they win: They climb to 4 points, potentially jumping to 3rd or 4th place (depending on the margin of victory and their NRR improvement).
If they lose: They remain at the bottom with only 3 matches left. Historically, teams need at least 10 points (5 wins) to feel safe about qualification. A loss today would mean they must win almost all their remaining games.
Playoff Scenarios: The Road to the Eliminator
The WPL format is ruthless: only the top 3 teams qualify.
1st Place: Directly to the Final.
2nd & 3rd Place: Play the Eliminator.
Today's Impact: If MI wins, they solidify their "top 3" status. If UPW wins, the table becomes a complete logjam where four teams could potentially be sitting on 4 points by the end of the day (especially if Delhi Capitals beat RCB later tonight in Match 11).
Since it’s currently the morning of Saturday, January 17, the massive double-header is just hours away. I will track the results of both games—UP Warriorz vs. Mumbai Indians (afternoon) and Delhi Capitals vs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (evening)—and can give you the fully updated points table tonight once the Navi Mumbai leg officially concludes.
Here is the "Live" schedule to keep on your radar for today:
What is your opinion about the match between WPL teams Mumbai Indians and UP Warriorz to be held today?
WPL 2026: Saturday Double-Header
| Match | Teams | Time (IST) | Venue |
| Match 10 | UP Warriorz vs. Mumbai Indians | 3:00 PM | DY Patil Stadium |
| Match 11 | Delhi Capitals vs. RCB | 7:30 PM | DY Patil Stadium |
What to look for tonight:
RCB’s Streak: If RCB wins tonight, they will finish the first half of the tournament with a perfect 4-0 record, virtually guaranteeing them a playoff spot.
The Mid-Table Scramble: If Delhi Capitals (DC) win, they will join the 4-point club, making the race between DC, MI, and GG incredibly tight as the tournament moves to Vadodara on Monday.
UPW’s Leap: A win for the Warriorz this afternoon would be their second in a row, potentially moving them out of the bottom spot for the first time this season.
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