Any lingering talk of a rift between Harleen Deol and UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar was firmly put to rest on Wednesday night, as both fronted up with clarity and conviction after the team’s statement win over Mumbai Indians Women in Match 8 of the Women’s Premier League 2026 in Navi Mumbai. Less than 24 hours after being controversially asked to retire out against Delhi Capitals, Harleen scripted a powerful comeback, turning adversity into assurance with a match-winning knock.
The 27-year-old produced a fluent and fearless 64 not out off just 39 deliveries against the defending champions, guiding the Warriorz to their first points of the season. More importantly, the innings shifted the narrative around her role in the side and the tactical call that had sparked widespread debate earlier in the week.
Post-match, Abhishek Nayar addressed the decision head-on, offering insight into the team’s thinking while praising Harleen’s selflessness and maturity. According to the UP Warriorz coach, the call to retire her out was purely tactical, rooted in clearly defined roles rather than a lack of trust.
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“When we had the timeout, the thought process was based on the roles we had discussed before the game,” Abhishek Nayar explained. “Whenever you make a move, the team always comes first. We felt Harleen had done her job at that stage. We had power available and believed that if we could squeeze out an extra 30–40 runs in that phase, it would benefit the team.”
Nayar went on to underline Harleen’s mindset, describing her as the embodiment of a team-first cricketer. “All she thinks about is what the team requires. That kind of attitude makes a huge difference. Harleen is a testament to what being a true team player looks like,” he added.
Harleen’s response with the bat only reinforced that message. She looked assured from the outset, capitalising on a surface that was far more batting-friendly than the one used in the previous match. With early boundaries setting the tempo, she paced her innings smartly and took calculated risks against Mumbai’s experienced pace attack.
Reflecting on her approach, Harleen Deol highlighted the importance of reading conditions and adapting accordingly. “The wicket today was very different from yesterday. I got a few boundaries early, which helped me settle, and then I just wanted to bat deep and finish the game,” she said. “Understanding which bowlers to take on and when was the key.”
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The Chandigarh-born batter dedicated the team’s first win of the season to captain Meg Lanning and coach Abhishek Nayar, underlining the unity within the camp. “This win is for Meg and Mr. Nayar. The wicket was nice to bat on, and I just wanted to make the most of it and finish the job,” she added.
With confidence restored and clarity around her role, Harleen will now look ahead to the reverse fixture against Harmanpreet Kaur’s Mumbai Indians on Saturday, January 17, at the same venue. As the Warriorz aim to build momentum before the tournament moves to Vadodara, Harleen’s composed comeback could well prove to be a defining moment in their WPL 2026 campaign.
