Meg Lanning hits 70 runs against Mumbai Indians in WPL 2026. Read the full innings report and match highlights
what can only be described as a captain’s knock, UP Warriorz skipper Meg Lanning reminded the cricketing world why she is considered one of the greatest batters in history. Facing the defending champions Mumbai Indians in Match 10 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the DY Patil Sports Academy, Lanning orchestrated a sublime innings of 70 runs off just 45 deliveries, setting the stage for a massive first-innings total.
After a mixed start to the season, where the Warriorz struggled to find rhythm, this innings was not just about runs—it was a statement. Lanning, who took over the captaincy for UP Warriorz this season after a high-profile move from Delhi Capitals, led from the front with a blend of classic technique and modern aggression that left the Mumbai Indians bowlers searching for answers.
The Aggressive Start
Winning the toss and electing to bat on a surface that promised pace and bounce, Lanning wasted no time in asserting her dominance. The Mumbai Indians, led by Harmanpreet Kaur, opened with their trusted seamers, hoping to exploit any early movement. However, Lanning’s intent was clear from the first over.
She was particularly severe on anything short, utilizing her trademark cut shot to pierce the gap through point and cover. Unlike her previous outing against Mumbai just days ago—where she scored a steady 25—today’s Lanning was in a different gear. By the end of the Powerplay, she had already raced into her 30s, ensuring the Warriorz capitalized on the fielding restrictions.
The “Aussie Power” Partnership
While Lanning was the architect, the foundation of the innings was solidified by her partnership with fellow Australian Phoebe Litchfield. The duo put on a dazzling display of batting, dismantling the Mumbai spin attack in the middle overs.
Litchfield, who scored a blistering 61 off 37 balls, was the perfect foil for Lanning. While Lanning anchored the innings with precision, rotating the strike and finding boundaries effortlessly, Litchfield took the aerial route. This left-hand/right-hand combination completely disrupted Mumbai’s bowling plans. The pair added over 100 runs together, scoring at a run rate hovering near 10 runs per over.
What stood out in Lanning’s innings was her ability to manipulate the field. When Mumbai Indians brought on their spinners, including Hayley Matthews and Amelia Kerr, Lanning brought out the sweep and the pull shot. Her usage of the crease was masterly; she constantly moved back and across to create angles, making good length deliveries look like half-volleys.
The Stats: A Strike Rate of 155.56
Lanning’s 70 runs came at a blistering strike rate of 155.56, a significant jump from her career average, highlighting the evolution of her game even at this stage of her career.
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Total Runs: 70
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Balls Faced: 45
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Fours: 11
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Sixes: 2
The boundary count tells the story of her dominance. With 11 fours, she found the fence roughly once every four balls. The two sixes were the icing on the cake—one lofted cleanly over long-off and the other a flat pull over mid-wicket that showed she has lost none of her power.
The Dismissal
All good things must come to an end, and it took a clever piece of bowling from Hayley Matthews to finally dislodge the Warriorz captain. In the 14th over, looking to accelerate even further with the team score well past 130, Lanning attempted a premeditated sweep shot against a full delivery.
The ball, dipping slightly, didn’t connect as sweetly as she would have liked. The top edge ballooned towards the leg side, where Amanjot Kaur held onto a safe catch. It was a soft dismissal for an innings that deserved a century, but the damage had already been done. Lanning walked back to the dugout to a standing ovation, having propelled her team to 139/3 in just 14.2 overs.
Meg Lanning hits 70 runs against Mumbai Indians in WPL 2026
This innings is pivotal for the UP Warriors campaign. Coming into this match, questions were being asked about the team’s top-order stability. Lanning’s 70 has silenced those critics and provided a template for how the Warriorz want to play: aggressive, calculated, and relentless.
For Sportzons.com readers following the WPL 2026, this match will be remembered as the moment the Warriorz truly arrived. With Litchfield firing and Lanning leading the charge, the team looks poised to challenge for the title that has eluded them in previous seasons.
As the tournament progresses, opposition teams will be wary. If Meg Lanning has found her best form, the UP Warriorz are no longer just participants; they are contenders.
