“Meg decided to have a word…” - Abhishek Nayar opens up on his controversial Harleen Deol’s ‘Retired out’ decision in WPL 2026

UP Warriorz Women’s team head coach Abhishek Nayar hogged the spotlight after his controversial ‘retired out’ decision, involving Harleen Deol in the WPL 2026 match against Delhi Capitals Women. 

Opening up on his decision to ‘retire out’ Harleen, Nayar has clarified that it wasn’t a very spontaneous decision, adding that the team management had communicated the plan well in advance to ensure clarity.

“It wasn't like a very spontaneous decision. The conversation started around the 12th over, when we first sent a message to Meg Lanning while they were batting together. I think post the time-out in the 14th over, Meg decided to have a word with Harleen as well. At that point of time, we had already communicated to Harleen that if we don't get going in the 16th or 17th over, we will look for a change,” Nayar told WPL website.

“I know from the outside it feels like, 'oh damn, what happened?' but when we reached the 17th over, we just felt we have the power, we wanted to make sure we gave them the opportunity in the game. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. In hindsight, the whole team felt like that was the right decision,” he added.

Shifting our focus to the details of the game, before the start of the 18th over against the Delhi Capitals, Nayar wanted Harleen to retire out while she was batting on 47 runs off 36 balls. However, the batter was visibly disappointed after his decision. Unfortunately, UP Warriorz went on to suffer a seven-wicket defeat in that game.

Nevertheless, in the very next game, Harleen went on to play a heroic knock against the Mumbai Indians Women, scripting a seven-wicket victory. She went on to score 64* runs off 39 balls with 12 fours at a strike rate of 164.1, winning the player of the match award.

https://x.com/wplt20/status/2012016303603925113 

“She is a team player, she always thinks team first, Harleen second. So the conversations post that incident were more about how we can make a difference today. But it wasn't a very tough conversation, so it was more about making sure she's okay, and the stigma around [retired out], When people talk about it, and say, 'oh, this has happened' without knowing what's happening. I think not only me, but a couple of the coaches and owners had conversations, but she was okay. I remember just after walking in, the first thing she said, 'Sir, we can win this game'. It becomes very easy when you have a player who doesn't think 'me' and thinks team,” he concluded.

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