The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 has been an eventful season, filled with intense matches, new talent, and some surprise performances. While UP Warriorz (UPW) have struggled to find their rhythm in the tournament, Australia’s young batting sensation, Georgia Voll, has quickly made a mark with her powerful stroke play.
On Thursday, UP Warriorz faced their second consecutive defeat in their home leg, this time against Mumbai Indians. The team posted a total of 150/9, which was chased down comfortably by Mumbai Indians with nine balls to spare. This loss has significantly reduced UPW’s chances of making it to the playoffs, adding to their woes in an already challenging season. However, amidst the disappointment, Georgia Voll emerged as a bright spot for the team.
Georgia Voll, who recently joined UP Warriorz as a replacement for Chamari Athapaththu, displayed her potential in just her second game. The Australian all-rounder smashed a brilliant 55 off 33 balls, laced with 12 boundaries, giving UPW a promising start. Despite her efforts, the lack of support from the middle order meant that the team could not put up a competitive total. Georgia Voll expressed her excitement about being part of the league, stating, “It’s been an exciting couple of months, something that I probably dreamed of and didn’t expect to come so fast. It’s been a whirlwind, but I’m happy to be here and contribute to the team.”
UPW’s inconsistent batting lineup has been a major concern throughout the tournament. While the decision to play two overseas batters at the top showed promise, Grace Harris’ struggles with form and a weak middle order led to another disappointing collapse. Georgia Voll remains optimistic about her teammates bouncing back, saying, “Everyone’s been working hard in training. It just hasn’t clicked yet, but I believe things will turn around soon.”
A moment of controversy arose when Mumbai Indians were penalized for a slow over-rate. Their skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur, was visibly upset and engaged in a heated exchange with the umpire. Sophie Ecclestone from UPW tried to intervene but ended up facing Kaur’s frustration as well. Voll, amused by the situation, remarked, “I was just watching it unfold. It seemed like an over-rate issue, but the rules were clear, and they were behind time.”
Mumbai Indians’ all-rounder Amelia Kerr provided more clarity on the incident, explaining that the team was late in starting the over, which led to a penalty. “We need to be quicker between overs. If we’re behind in crucial games, it could cost us. It’s a collective responsibility, not just on the captain.” Kerr also played a crucial role in UPW’s downfall, taking a five-wicket haul and later opening the innings for Mumbai Indians.
