Harleen Deol’s last two outings in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) captured the volatility of modern T20 cricket, where tactical innovation can spark outrage one night and vindication the next.
Retired out on 47 off 36 balls in UP Warriorz’s previous match, Deol found herself at the centre of a storm that questioned not just the decision, but its impact on a batter who appeared set. Less than 24 hours later, she answered decisively, scoring an unbeaten 64 off 39 balls to guide UP Warriorz to a seven-wicket win, chasing 162 with 11 balls to spare against Mumbai Indians.
The retired-out decision, taken during the match against Delhi Capitals, was a shock precisely because of Deol’s numbers. Batting at a strike rate of over 130, she had already struck seven boundaries and was anchoring the innings when she was withdrawn. UP Warriorz eventually fell short, and the move dominated post-match discussion. However, it was only after Deol’s match-winning knock the following night that coach Abhishek Nayar addressed the call offering context and clarity in a post-match video alongside the star batter.
Explaining the thinking Nayar said, “When we had the time out, the thought process was before we started, we thought about roles that we thought people need to play. Whenever you make a move, you’re always thinking of the team being the forefront of it. Harleen, we felt had done a job at that time. We had power, and we thought if in that phase, we could get those extra 30, 40 runs, it was just that mindset that we felt those roles were created for those particular players.”
That explanation came after Deol had shown exactly why the team’s faith in her remained unshaken. Against Mumbai Indians, she paced the chase with authority, striking 12 fours and finishing with a strike rate of 164.10. UP Warriorz reached 162/3 in 18.1 overs, ending a three-match losing streak. While Chloe Tryon’s late cameo helped seal the win, it was Deol’s control through the middle overs that ensured the chase never spiraled.
Reflecting on her approach under pressure, Deol kept the focus firmly on execution rather than emotion. “I just wanted that I play long because in the beginning, I had a lot of easy boundaries. So, I got that tempo. So, I just wanted to keep carrying forward that. And the wicket was really nice to bat on. So, I just wanted to finish it off,” she said. She underlined the importance of reading conditions, adding that the wicket was a lot better to bat on in this match than the last ones and she knew which bowlers to target.
Standing beside her after the win, Nayar’s praise was unmistakable, framing Deol’s response as the ultimate validation of her mindset. “All she thinks and breathes is the team. Her core focus has always been what the team requires. That always helps when every player believes in the team ethos. Harleen Deol is a testament of what a team player is.” he said.
The contrast between the two innings tells its own story. In defeat, Deol’s 47 showed responsibility without reward. In victory, her unbeaten 64 delivered both result and resolution. In a league where tactical calls are scrutinised instantly, Harleen Deol transformed controversy into clarity not by arguing the decision, but by owning the moment that followed.
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