in the fast paced world Women’s Premier League (WPL) 202624 hours can feel like a lifetime. On 15th January at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. Harleen Deol Provided a masterclass in flexibility during Match 8 between UP Warriors (UPW) And Mumbai Indians (MI). Just a day after being at the center of the retire-out controversy that sparked heated debate on social media, the 27-year-old all-rounder answered his critics – and perhaps his team management – by scoring a brilliant unbeaten 64.
Harleen Deol talks openly about WPL 2026 retire out controversy
The atmosphere was tense as UP Warriors took the field to chase 162 runs against the defending champions. After the strategic decision of the head coach, all eyes were on Harleen Abhishek Nair Was “retired out” on 47 runs during the last game against Delhi Capitals. The move aims to bring in a power-hitter chloe tryonIt backfired and the team lost momentum. However, during the post-match presentation after defeating MI, Deol showed remarkable maturity regarding the incident.
“It feels good, happy to get the first win for the team. Actually, I was batting well yesterday alsoDeol admitted with a calm smile in the post-match presentation. Addressing the tactical substitution, he said,As you saw today, how Chloe can change the scenario. That’s just the way I took it. She is a player who can hit big but it did not go our way yesterday. That’s how I see it“
Harleen stressed that her preparation remained unchanged despite the noise. “Nothing different today. I just got a few boundary balls, sometimes it’s just your day. General preparation for me…no point in keeping stressing on that thing (retired). The first two games did not go my way. I was overheating earlier. It wasn’t the wicket to do this,Harleen concluded.
Deol’s unbeaten match winning performance
While the “retire out” saga dominated the headlines, Harleen’s performance on the field was the real story. Chasing competitive 161/5 set by Mumbai – passionately Nat Sciver-Brunt‘S 65 – UP Warriors needed a steady but aggressive anchor. Harleen stepped into that role perfectly, scoring 64 runs on just 39 balls*.
His innings was more a clinic of timing than power. He crossed the off-side boundary with surgical precision, and found gaps that seemed non-existent to others. His innings included 12 fours, many of them involving cover drives and clever late cuts, which left the MI bowlers searching for answers.
He made an important partnership of 73 runs Phoebe Lichfield (25) Before joining Chloë Tryon. In a poetic twist of fate, the two players who were among the previous day’s replacements combined to put on an unbeaten 44-run partnership to seal a 7-wicket win with 11 balls to spare.
Also read: Revealed: Smriti Mandhana will represent the team in The Hundred 2026
This article was first published here WomenCricket.comA Cricket Times Company.