In a pulsating Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 Match 16 at Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara, Mumbai Indians all-rounder Hayley Matthews lit up the post-match press conference after her side’s thrilling 15-run victory over table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The win propelled MI to second place with six points from seven games (three wins, four losses), keeping their playoff hopes alive in the tournament running from January 9 to February 5. Matthews, fresh off a maiden half-century this season and a match-turning bowling spell, reflected on her 131-run partnership with Player of the Match Nat Sciver-Brunt, who smashed the tournament’s first-ever century (100* off 57), as MI posted 199/4.
Matthews opened up on rediscovering her batting rhythm after injury setbacks. “Yeah, for sure. Obviously, coming back from injury, being out of the game for a while, I did feel like I was in a good place, but wasn’t getting the results I wanted to. But yeah, it was just about keeping the confidence high, really happy I was able to contribute with the bat today.”
Her 56 off 39 balls (9 fours) anchored MI after Sajeevan Sajana’s early exit, setting the stage for Sciver-Brunt’s carnage. With the ball, Matthews dismantled RCB’s chase, claiming 3/10 in two overs, including skipper Smriti Mandhana (6 off 7), to spark a collapse to 35/5 in the powerplay.
The duo’s synergy stole the show, with Matthews praising their on-field chemistry. “Yeah, I think we have a pretty good relationship at the crease. She flows really well, and I think that helps me to flow really well, too. We’re two really experienced players, and I feel like we certainly complement each other at the crease really well.”
She relished watching Sciver-Brunt’s boundary spree from the non-striker’s end: “Yeah, for sure. It was definitely nice to watch from the other end when she was going four after four after four, for her to get the hundred today was quite deserving, probably been the best batter in this competition.”
Their game plan focused on venue-specific tactics, surviving a tricky powerplay (MI scored 38 runs, losing one wicket), before accelerating, eyes on wickets in hand for skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (20 off 12) to provide the finishing touches.
RCB’s chase imploded despite Richa Ghosh’s blistering 90 off 50 (10 fours, 6 sixes), falling 15 runs short. Lauren Bell shone for RCB with 2/21, but Matthews credited coaching trust for MI’s resurgence.
“Yeah, I think they just tried to instill more trust in us. Harry’s message was making sure that we’re still going out there and enjoying ourselves, and we were able to bring it all together.” Now with 103 runs at 130.37 strike rate in four innings this season, Matthews embodies MI’s fightback.
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