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The war of words began at the end of the 19th over when umpire Ajitesh Argal told Harmanpreet Kaur that she could have just three players outside the circle in the last over because of the slow over rate.
Harmanpreet Kaur-Sophie Ecclestone Engage In War Of Words In WPL 2025 Match (Picture credit: Screengrab from X)
Mumbai Indians skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and UP Warriorz’s Sophie Ecclestone were involved in a verbal spat during their game on Thursday, as on-field umpires had to step in and separate the two to prevent further escalation.
The war of words began at the end of the 19th over when umpire Ajitesh Argal told Harmanpreet that she could have just three players outside the circle in the last over because of the slow over rate.
The verdict didn’t go down well with Harmanpreet, and she had a slight argument with Argal. Kiwi all-rounder Amelia Kerr was upset as well and joined the conversation between her captain and the umpire.
At the same time, Ecclestone, who was at the non-striker’s end, walked towards Argal to explain something. Her interference wasn’t taken well by Harmanpreet, who returned some words. Watch the video here:
Meanwhile, Hayley Matthews smashed a 46-ball 68, while Kerr registered her best figures of 5/38 as Mumbai stormed to a six-wicket victory over the Warriorz.
The former champions chased down 151 in the penultimate over, boosting their net run rate and jumping to second in the table with eight points, two behind leaders Delhi Capitals with a match in hand.
This was the Warriorz‘s third successive loss, leaving them on the brink of elimination. Chasing a modest 151 on a dew-laden Ekana Stadium, Mumbai lost Kerr (10) early, but Matthews took charge, hammering a 35-ball half-century in a match-winning 92-run partnership with Nat Sciver-Brunt.
Matthews played off the back foot, through the off-side and reached her second fifty of WPL 2025 against the Warrioz with a crisp four between point and cover-point.
Matthews dismantled Chinelle Henry with a towering six over deep midwicket before sweeping Ecclestone for consecutive fours as MI raced to 50/1 in the powerplay.
Though Warriorz captain Deepti Sharma pulled off a brilliant catch to break the stand, dismissing Sciver-Brunt (37 from 23 balls), Mumbai required just 35 off 43 deliveries by then.
In the next over, Matthews tore into seamer Kranti Goud, smashing a four through deep cover before launching a six over deep backward square leg.
Mumbai next play the Gujarat Giants on March 10.
