Watch: Big fight takes place between Harmanpreet Kaur & Sophie Ecclestone as the MI skipper points fingers at Ecclestone
Mumbai vs UP WPL: The 16th match of the Tata Women's Premier League (WPL) 2025 played between the UP Warriorz (UPW) & Mumbai Indians (MI) at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Thursday, 6th of March was marred by an on-field controversy.
Following the conclusion of the 19th over of the UP Warriorz inning, the umpires informed MI's skipper Harmanpreet Kaur that her team would be allowed to field just three fielders outside the circle due to a slow over-rate penalty.
Harmanpreet was livid with the umpires, and Sophie Ecclestone's intervention made things bad
This decision didn't go down well with the Mumbai skipper and she got engaged in an argument with the umpires. Pacer Amelia Kerr who was supposed to bowl the final over, was not happy,y as well as she too joined her captain and started to protest.
At that time, UP Warriorz batter Sophie Ecclestone, who was standing at the non-striker's end, walked towards the umpires to calm things down, but she ended up irritating Haraman even more.
The 35-year-old, who's known for her calmness on the field, pointed fingers towards Ecclestone and asked her to mind her own business and not get involved. Naturally, the 25-year-old, who's an experienced cricketer, also got angry and after a heated argument walked back to the non-striker's end in frustration.
The video of the incident
Luckily, the matter didn't escalate further as the on-field umpires intervened and separated the two & the proceedings of the contest were resumed shortly after.
Amelia Kerr dismissed Sophie Ecclestone (16 runs) and Warriorz skipper Deepti Sharma (27 runs) in the last over, ending the UP-based team's innings with a score of 150-9. The Mumbai-based team chased down this total with ease, with six wickets and nine balls to spare. Hayley Matthews helped her team cross the finish line with a brilliant knock of 68 runs in 46 balls.
Mumbai Indians close to playoffs
MI now have 8 points after 4 wins in 6 matches and this team has come to second place in the points table. So far only Delhi Capitals have qualified for the playoffs, which is currently at the top with 10 points. After this, Mumbai still has 2 matches left, by winning any one of those matches, they will also secure a place in the playoffs. If this happens, then this will be the third consecutive time for the franchise when they will reach the playoffs.
