WPL 2026: Why was Harleen Deol retired out in UPW vs DC clash? Meg Lanning reveals
(Courtesy : WPL/BCCI)
UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning opened up about the decision to retire out Harleen Deol in the UPW vs DC clash in the WPL 2026.
The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 witnessed a rare and controversial moment as UP Warriorz batter Harleen Deol was ‘retired out’ against Delhi Capitals, triggering widespread debate among fans and experts.
The 27-year-old India international became only the second player in WPL history to be retired out. She followed Gujarat Giants’ Ayushi Soni, who was brought off against Mumbai Indians earlier this week. Harleen Deol, who was batting fluently on 47 off 36 balls, was asked to walk back to the pavilion ahead of the 18th over.
The decision was taken after head coach Abhishek Nayar signalled from the dugout, proving to be a turning point in the match. At the time of Deol’s exit, UP Warriorz were well placed at 141/4, looking set for a strong finish. However, the move backfired as the team lost momentum, managing to add only 13 runs in the final three overs while losing four more wickets.
Meg Lanning reveals thinking behind calling back Harleen Deol
In the post-match interview, UP Warriorz captain Meg Lanning stood by the call, explaining the tactical reasoning behind the move. Lanning said:
“Harleen batted well. We make a decision on what is best for the team. Unfortunately for Harleen, it is what happened.” She further added, “Tryon is a boundary hitter and we wanted to maximise that as much as we could.”
The decision did not sit well with the UP Warriorz fanbase. Social media was flooded with criticism, with many supporters calling it an unnecessary gamble. Fans argued that Deol, being a set batter, could have anchored the innings and accelerated in the final overs. Instead, the abrupt change disrupted the rhythm of the batting lineup and handed the momentum to Delhi Capitals.
Some fans also took a dig at head coach Abhishek Nayar, questioning the team management’s strategy and the Warriorz’s overall performance in the tournament so far. The incident has reignited the debate around the ‘retired out’ rule in T20 cricket, especially in high-pressure situations.
With WPL 2026 gaining momentum, all eyes will now be on how UP Warriorz bounce back from this. For Harleen Deol, despite the controversy, her innings once again highlighted her value as a dependable middle-order batter for both franchise and country.
How many players have been retired out in WPL history so far?
Harleen Deol is only the second player after Ayushi Soni to be retired out in WPL.
What was Harleen Deol’s score when she was retired out?
Harleen was batting on 47 off 36 balls at the time of her retirement.
What is the position of the UP Warriorz in WPL 2026?
UP Warriorz sit last in the points table having lost all three matches in WPL 2026 so far.
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Vishwajit Sawant is a sports content writer with two years of experience who believes in writing that feels honest, simple, and easy to read. He enjoys breaking down sporting moments into stories readers can genuinely connect with, without relying on fancy vocabulary. His work spans cricket, football, basketball, tennis, and Formula 1, with a focus on match previews, reviews, and reports. Vishwajit believes good content doesn’t need to be loud — it just needs to leave a subtle impact.