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The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 witnessed a fiery on-field exchange between Mumbai Indians (MI) skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and UP Warriorz all-rounder Sophie Ecclestone during their high-intensity clash at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on March 6. The confrontation unfolded in the final over of UP Warriorz’s innings, sparking a heated moment that quickly became the talk of the tournament.
Tensions flare in WPL 2025 between Harmanpreet Kaur and Sophie Ecclestone
The controversy ignited when the umpires informed Harmanpreet that her team was running four minutes behind the over rate. Mumbai would be forced to keep an additional fielder inside the 30-yard circle for the last over. The MI captain strongly opposed the decision, engaging in a heated argument with the on-field officials, visibly frustrated at being penalized at such a crucial juncture.
As the disagreement between Harmanpreet and the umpires continued, Ecclestone, standing at the non-striker’s end, decided to intervene. Unimpressed with the delay and seemingly irritated by the prolonged discussion, the England star walked towards Harmanpreet and appeared to offer her opinion on the situation. However, Harmanpreet was in no mood to entertain Ecclestone’s input and immediately signaled the England cricketer to step away with a fierce expression and animated gestures, clearly indicating that she wanted her to stay out of the matter.
Here’s the video:
— Blablabla (@Bhaukal_ba1) March 6, 2025
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Ecclestone’s late cameo and Amelia Kerr’s heroics define UP Warriorz’s innings
While the verbal spat stole the spotlight, Ecclestone had already played an impactful role with the bat for the Warriorz. After the team suffered a middle-overs collapse, triggered by Amelia Kerr’s sensational five-wicket haul, Ecclestone’s three boundaries in her brief 11-ball stay at the crease provided UP with some much-needed late momentum, helping them reach a competitive 150-run total.
Meanwhile, Harmanpreet eventually had to accept the umpire’s decision, adjusting her field placements as per the rule despite her frustration. As tensions settled, Kerr stepped in to console the MI skipper, calming her down before the crucial run chase. The clash between two of the fiercest competitors in the game quickly caught the attention of fans, with social media buzzing with reactions. The heated exchange between Harmanpreet and Ecclestone added another chapter to WPL’s growing legacy of intense rivalries, making the match a memorable spectacle.
