WPL 2026: Why did Hayley Matthews miss playing MI vs UPW clash ?
(Courtesy : WPL/BCCI)
Hayley Matthews played last match for Mumbai Indians but her name was missing from team sheet for the MI vs UPW clash.
Mumbai Indians Women (MI-W) are locking horns against UP Warriorz (UPW-W) in Match 8 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 on January 15 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. MI enter the contest on the back of an incredible run chase led by captain Harmanpreet Kaur, against Gujarat Giants.
Meanwhile UP Warriors are yet to open their account, losing three straight matches. It will be a quick turnaround for them, as they are now in do or die territory.
Ahead of the contest, Mumbai Indians made a massive decision and replaced star all-rounder Hayley Matthews with Nat Sciver-Brunt, who missed the previous match against Gujarat.
Meanwhile, Australian all-rounder Nicola Carey retained her spot, having impressed with consistent contributions across departments in recent games. Harmanpreet praised Carey’s form, noting that the team aims to capitalize on the high-scoring trend seen throughout the tournament, where totals near 180 have become common.
WPL 2026: Why did Hayley Matthews miss playing MI vs UPW clash ?
Mumbai Indians have taken a brave call, dropping a player they had retained ahead of Amelia Kerr. Although captain Kaur mentioned the West Indies legend has been rested, she was fully available for selection, which indicates she missed out due to team balance and combination. Hayley Matthews did not feature in the first two games due to sickness, and in her absence, each of the four other overseas players proved their worth.
“It’s a great feeling and hopefully keep it going in the cricket the way we did in the World Cup. We have one change – Nat is back and Hayley is resting. She (Carey) is someone who is contributing with both bat and ball, she is in form and should continue playing”, Mumbai Indians captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed at the toss.
Nicola Carey had come in as the replacement, but her heroics with both and ball have left everyone impressed. The Australian has proved she is a must in this MI playing XI, which ultimately cost Matthews her position, despite no real fault of her own.
Matthews made a strong return against GG, including a quickfire 22 off 12 balls against Gujarat Giants, but Brunt’s return forced her exclusion. With Shabnim Ismail providing breakthroughs at the top of the order, Amelia Kerr running riot with her googlies and smart bowling, and Nat Sciver Brunt bringing in fireworks in every department, MI boast an envious array of overseas options to their disposal.
MI vs UPW: Mumbai Indians playing XI
Mumbai Indians Women (Playing XI): Gunalan Kamalini(WK), Amelia Kerr, Nat Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur(C), Amanjot Kaur, Nicola Carey, Sajeevan Sajana, Sanskriti Gupta, Poonam Khemnar, Shabnim Ismail, Triveni Vasistha
Why was Hayley Matthews not included in the playing XI for MI vs UPW clash?
Matthews missed early matches due to illness, and despite a solid return, Mumbai Indians opted to continue with Nicola Carey.
Why did Nat Sciver-Brunt return to the side?
Nat Sciver-Brunt returned after recovering from sickness, adding balance with her elite batting, seam bowling, and big-match experience.
How important has Nicola Carey been for MI?
Nicola Carey has delivered impactful performances with both bat and ball, making her difficult to drop despite Matthews’ credentials.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.