UP Warriorz's Bold Strategy Turns Sour in WPL Defeat
Just before the Women's Premier League's fourth season began, UP Warriorz head coach Abhishek Nayar expressed confidence. He appointed Australian legend Meg Lanning as captain, saying it would ease pressure on him. Nayar joked about chilling with coffee while Lanning handled the tough decisions.
However, reality struck hard. After three consecutive losses at the start of their campaign, Nayar discovered that coaching a franchise team remains challenging. Even with a great captain like Lanning, victories do not come easily.
A Costly Decision at DY Patil Stadium
During Wednesday night's seven-wicket defeat to Delhi Capitals, UP Warriorz made a critical error. They decided to retire out Harleen Deol in search of quick runs during the death overs. Deol was batting steadily at 47 runs off 36 balls, with a strike rate of 130.55. The team stood at 141 for four after 17 overs.
The move backfired dramatically. UP Warriorz lost six wickets for just 20 runs, finishing at 154 for eight in their 20 overs. This collapse handed Delhi Capitals a comfortable victory.
Inside the Dugout: Explaining the Gamble
UP Warriorz mentor Lisa Sthalekar explained the decision-making process. She revealed that Nayar suggested retiring Deol to bring in more power-hitting. Sthalekar admitted the idea felt unusual for women's cricket.
"He turns to me and says, 'I think it's time we potentially bring Harleen off,'" Sthalekar recalled. "I thought, this isn't normal in the women's game. Another over passed, and she couldn't find the power to clear boundaries. So we decided to retire her."
The coaching staff consulted captain Meg Lanning and other coaches before pulling the trigger. Unfortunately, the subsequent batters—Chloe Tryon, Sophie Ecclestone, and Deepti Sharma—all failed to deliver.
The Evolution of Tactical Retirements
On Tuesday, Ayushi Soni became the first player retired out in WPL history. Unlike Deol, Soni is an uncapped player making her debut for Gujarat Giants. That decision succeeded brilliantly, with next batter Bharti Phulmali smashing 36 not out off 15 balls.
Sthalekar acknowledged the risk of removing a set batter. She questioned having two new batters at the crease after Lanning's dismissal. However, the team aimed to maximize the final 18 deliveries.
"Sometimes these things work and we look like geniuses," Sthalekar said. "Sometimes they don't. That's why we love cricket—it keeps us on our toes."
The tactic of retiring batters out for strategic reasons gained prominence in the IPL. On April 10, 2022, Ravichandran Ashwin became the first batter tactically retired out in the IPL. Since then, teams have increasingly used this move to boost scoring in T20 cricket.
Backing Players Despite Poor Form
Despite opener Kiran Navgire's poor streak—a three-ball duck following scores of five and one—Sthalekar expressed confidence in her. She described Navgire as an "X-factor" player who attacks bowlers without consuming many balls.
"Kiran hasn't clicked yet for us," Sthalekar admitted. "But she's willing to take on bowlers. We hope her preparation and plans lead to one breakthrough innings. Everyone has seen how destructive she can be."
The Women's Premier League continues to showcase evolving strategies and intense competition. UP Warriorz now face pressure to turn their campaign around after a disappointing start.
