UP’s costly ‘Retired Out’ gamble backfires as Delhi Capitals eke out nervy win in WPL

 

For the second consecutive day in the Women’s Premier League, the rare and controversial tactic of a batter being ‘retired out’ dominated the narrative. After Ayushi Soni on Tuesday, Wednesday saw Harleen Deol walk back to the dugout under extraordinary circumstances. This time, however, the decision proved disastrous for UP Warriorz, who paid a heavy price for withdrawing their second-highest run-scorer mid-innings and slumped to a hat-trick of defeats, as Delhi Capitals overcame a few nervous moments to register their first win in 2026 season . 

‘Retired out’ has occasionally been used in T20 cricket to inject late-innings momentum when a batter appears stuck. Mumbai Indians faced sharp criticism last IPL for employing the tactic with Tilak Varma. On Wednesday, UP Warriorz made a similar call—but with far less justification. Harleen Deol was batting fluently on 47 off 35 balls, striking at a healthy 130.56 and just three runs short of a well-earned half-century. Visibly stunned, Harleen was recalled to the pavilion, her rhythm abruptly broken and her confidence seemingly shaken.

The gamble failed almost instantly. Chloe Tryon, sent in as the designated aggressor, managed just one run off three balls before being dismissed. From there on, UP’s innings lost all direction and momentum, with no batter able to provide stability or acceleration.

Earlier, after losing the toss, UP Warriorz were sent in to bat and suffered an immediate blow when Kiran Navgire was dismissed for a duck on the third ball. Captain Meg Lanning, typically ice-cool and authoritative at the top, attempted to steady the innings alongside Phoebe Litchfield, and the pair added 47 runs for the second wicket. Litchfield’s lively 27 off 20 balls injected some tempo before she fell needlessly , bringing Harleen to the crease.

What followed was UP’s most productive phase. Lanning and Harleen stitched together a commanding 85-run partnership off just 56 balls for the third wicket. Lanning, the epitome of composure and class, anchored the innings with trademark elegance, rotating strike efficiently while punishing loose deliveries. Once Lanning was dismissed, Harleen briefly struggled to find fluency—and that moment triggered the fateful ‘retired out’ call. UP eventually limped to 154 for 8 in their 20 overs, a total that looked competitive on paper but lacked late momentum.

Delhi Capitals, however, made light work of the chase, thanks largely to a ferocious opening assault from Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee in particular. Shafali showed her trademark attacking intent, ensuring UP’s bowlers never settled. At the other end, Lee was sheer dominance personified—powerful, authoritative, and relentless.

The opening pair blasted 94 runs for the first wicket, effectively deciding the match inside the powerplay and early middle overs. Shafali struck a fluent 36 off 32 balls, playing the role of the disruptor, while Lee unleashed a breathtaking display of clean hitting, smashing eight fours and three sixes in her 44-ball 67.

Although Jemimah Rodrigues made a breezy 21 she needed to stay till the end , . Laura Wolvaardt, calm, composed, and technically immaculate, guided the chase to its conclusion with an unbeaten 25, supported by the experienced Marizanne Kapp who however looked nervy in the last over bowled by the crafty Ecclestone but managed to strike a timely 4 & Wolvaardt finished on the final ball with a 4 . 

In the end, UP Warriorz were left to rue a baffling tactical call that derailed their innings while Delhi Capitals need to be more brave & confident in finishing games .