NAVI MUMBAI: In the end, it took Sophie Ecclestone's allround brilliance (3-15 in 4 overs & a crucial 16 not out off 17 balls) to help an inspired UP Warriorz halt the Mumbai Indians' relentless march for the first time in the Women's Premier League, handing the table-toppers their first defeat after five wins on the trot.
Roaring back after two losses on the bounce, Alyssa Healy and Co raised their game just when it mattered, holding their nerves on an unusually spin-friendly track at the DY Patil Stadium to score a five-wicket win over MI in a nail-biting low-scoring game.
It meant that the unpredictable UPW, with three wins and an equal number of defeats, are still alive in the competition, with six points in as many games. MI, on the other hand, are assured of a place in the top three, though they must win their last two games to ensure they finish at the top of the table and don't have to play the Eliminator.
Chasing 128 on a tough pitch, UPW, after enduring some tense moments, reached the target in the final over when Ecclestone, after missing the first two balls of the over, deposited a low full toss from Issy Wong for a six over the bowler's head.
MI had hope when UPW collapsed to 27 for 3 by the 7th over, but the Aussie big guns Tahlia McGrath (38, 25b, 6x4, 1x6) and Grace Harris (39, 28b, 7x4) then produced power-packed cameos to put the innings back on track.
Ecclestone then finished the job with a vital, unbeaten 24 run partnership for the sixth wicket with Deepti Sharma, who, with 16 not out & 2-35, continued to prove her class.
