The 16th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 is set to be a high voltage encounter as UP Warriorz take on Mumbai Indians at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on March 6 at 7:30 PM IST.
Both teams have had an up-and-down journey so far. UP Warriorz find themselves at the bottom of the table with just two wins in six matches, while Mumbai Indians have performed slightly better, winning three out of five games to secure third place. Both teams are coming off losses and will be desperate to return to winning ways. Let’s take a look at the top fantasy picks for this clash.
Wicketkeeper:
Yastika Bhatia
Bhatia, Mumbai Indians’ wicketkeeper, is a key pick in this lineup. Returning from injury, she started cautiously with 11 off 9 balls against Delhi Capitals but has struggled to make an impact since, scoring just 27 runs in four matches. Across her WPL career, she has amassed 456 runs in 23 games, with the best score of 57. Her ability to hold the top order together makes her an essential choice.
Batters:
Harmanpreet Kaur
Kaur remains the backbone of Mumbai Indians’ batting lineup. She started the season with a blistering 42 off 22 balls against Delhi and a well-paced 50 off 38 against RCB and remained unbeaten on 4 against UP Warriorz. Most recently, she contributed 22 against DC. With 671 runs in 22 WPL matches at an impressive average of 41.93 and a strike rate of 140.67, she continues to be a reliable performer. Her ability to chip in with the ball adds further value to her selection.
All-rounders:
Grace Harris
Harris had a slow start to the season with scores of 4, 12, and 2 but made a stunning comeback with the ball, claiming a remarkable hat-trick against Delhi Capitals (4/15 in 2.3 overs). She regained her batting form against Mumbai Indians, smashing 45 off 26 balls, and followed it up with a crucial 25-run knock against Gujarat Giants. With 514 runs and 11 wickets in 20 WPL matches, Harris remains a high-impact all-rounder.
Hayley Matthews
Matthews has been a consistent performer for Mumbai Indians, contributing with both bat and ball. She picked up 2/32 against Delhi and delivered a match-winning 3/16 against Gujarat Giants. Against UP Warriorz, she played a pivotal role with a well-made 59 and also chipped in with 1/38. She followed it up with 22 off 25 balls against Delhi. In her WPL career, she has 564 runs and 30 wickets from 24 matches, making her an invaluable asset.
Nat Sciver-Brunt
Sciver-Brunt continues to shine as one of the most complete all-rounders in the WPL. She played a breathtaking 80* off 59 against Delhi, along with 1/38 with the ball. Her dominance extended to the next few matches, where she struck 57 off 39 and took 2/26 against Gujarat Giants, followed by 42 off 21 and 1/40 against RCB. She further showcased her brilliance with an unbeaten 75 and a bowling masterclass of 3/18 against UP Warriorz. With 776 runs and 27 wickets in 24 matches, she is a true match-winner.
Deepti Sharma
Sharma, the captain of UP Warriorz, has been leading from the front. She began with a solid 39 off 27 and has been consistent with the ball, recording figures of 1/27, 1/25, and 1/42 against RCB, where she also scored 25 runs. She followed up with 1/25 against MI and 1/37 against Gujarat Giants. With 479 WPL runs and 24 wickets, Deepti’s all-round abilities make her a crucial player in this contest.
Amelia Kerr
Kerr has been a reliable performer for Mumbai Indians, producing impactful performances with bat and ball. She bowled brilliant spells of 2/23 against Delhi and 2/22 against Gujarat Giants while also contributing 19 runs. Against UP Warriorz, she maintained her consistency with 1/24. With 411 runs and 27 wickets in 24 matches, including a career-best 4/17, Kerr is a key asset for MI.
Chinelle Henry
Henry has been a revelation for UP Warriorz, stepping up in the absence of Alyssa Healy. She made an instant impact with an unbeaten 33 off 15 balls on debut, followed by a sensational 62 off 23 and 28 off 14 in the next two games. Her bowling has also been effective, returning figures of 1/42, 1/34, and 1/31 in consecutive matches. In just five matches, Henry has smashed 138 runs at a phenomenal strike rate of 209.09 while also picking up three wickets.
Amanjot Kaur
Kaur has been instrumental since her return from injury. She picked up 1/17 against Gujarat Giants and followed it up with a match-winning all-round display against RCB, scoring 34* off 27 balls and dismissing both Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh. Against Delhi, she stayed unbeaten on 17 off 10 and took 1/12, making her an excellent addition to Mumbai’s lineup.
Bowlers:
Sophie Ecclestone
Ecclestone continues to be a reliable performer for UP Warriorz. She delivered crucial spells of 2/16, 1/31, and 0/28, and also played a match-winning 33 off 19 balls. Her ability to perform in pressure situations was evident when she defended eight runs in a Super Over. Against MI, she claimed 1/29, dismissing Hayley Matthews, and followed it up with 2/34 against Gujarat Giants. With 33 wickets in 23 WPL matches at an average of 18.45, Ecclestone remains a go-to bowler for her team.
Shabnim Ismail
Ismail, the fiery South African pacer, has been a crucial figure in Mumbai’s bowling attack. She started strong with 1/18 against Delhi, where she dismissed Meg Lanning, and maintained her form with 1/17 and 1/36 against Gujarat Giants and RCB, respectively. Against UP Warriorz, she scalped 2/33, continuing her impactful run. With 16 wickets in 15 WPL matches, including the best of 3/18, Ismail adds immense firepower to Mumbai’s pace attack.
With both teams striving to regain their winning momentum, this promises to be an exciting battle. A strong mix of power hitters, dependable all-rounders, and lethal bowlers makes this contest a must-watch for fantasy cricket enthusiasts.
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