Warriorz are winless so far in WPL 2024.

Alyssa Healy is a bona fide winner, as are all Australian players of her generation and that makes two successive losses in a competitive league an anomaly for the UP Warriorz captain. Her side started the tournament with a last-ball loss against RCB that can be best described as a choke before being completely outplayed by the Delhi Capitals. It's not do-or-die territory just yet but she will know that the Warriorz need to start winning sooner than later to turn things around. Their big overseas stars including Healy herself haven't come to the party so far and against the might of Mumbai Indians, the Warriors will need all departments to click to test the defending champions.

Harmanpreet Kaur's girls have started their title defence in ideal fashion with two wins on the trot. While it took a last-ball miracle from S Sajana to give them the first victory against Delhi Capitals, it was largely one-way traffic for Mumbai Indians against Gujarat Giants. The fact that the reigning champions have won games without bringing their A-game so far is an ominous sign for the other sides in the tournament. Like previous season, Mumbai look a well-balanced squad with nearly all bases covered. They go into this game as overwhelming favourites although Warriorz do have the individual quality to create a stir or two.

When: Wednesday, February 28, at 19:30 local

Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

What to expect: The dew factor has made batting considerably easier in the second half although the pitches haven't yet been as true as the venue is historically known for.

Team news

Mumbai Indians

The defending champions don't have any reason to change the winning combination with everything going smoothly thus far. Expect an unchanged side for this game, barring any last-minute injuries.

Probable XI: Hayley Matthews, Yastika Bhatia (wk), Natalie Sciver-Brunt, Harmanpreet Kaur (C), Amelia Kerr, Pooja Vastrakar, Amanjot Kaur, S Sajana, Shabnim Ismail, Keerthana Balakrishnan, Saika Ishaque

UP Warriorz

With two losses in two games to start the season, the Warriorz will have to contemplate changes. The batting has lacked a bit of spark and Chamari Athapaththu could finally be in line for her WPL debut. Given that Healy and Sophie Ecclestone pick themselves, meaning one of Tahlia McGrath or Grace Harris looks likely to make way in such a scenario. However, the former was the only frontline pacer in their previous XI. There could also be an option to add a pacer in the form of Anjali Sarvani who could come in at the expense of a batter, given the plethora of all-rounders in the side. That could well be Kiran Navgire, who copped a blow to the forehead on Monday.

Probable XI: Alyssa Healy (C&wk), Chamari Athapaththu, Vrinda Dinesh, Tahlia McGrath, Shweta Sehrawat, Deepti Sharma, Kiran Navgire/Anjali Sarvani, Poonam Khemnar, Sophie Ecclestone, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Gouher Sultana

What they said

"It's not about being reckless, need to be smart with the decision making. We got to be better." - Alyssa Healy wants her side to pull their socks up

"We have match-winners and we are fortunate to have so many. Nice to see so many people step up at different times." - Amelia Kerr is in awe of the star-studded nature of her team