One of the biggest talking points of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 so far has been the absence of Hayley Matthews from the Mumbai Indians playing XI, and the rise of Nicola Carey as a first-choice all-rounder.
While Matthews missing the MI vs UP Warriorz clash raised eyebrows, this is not just a one-match decision. It reflects a broader tactical shift by Mumbai Indians through the early phase of WPL 2026. Hayley Matthews had missed the first two games due to injury and came back for the previous match against Gujarat Giants when Nat Sciver-Brunt had a niggle. But in the clash vs UP Warriorz on January 15, Sciver-Brunt returned and it was Hayley Matthews who was dropped.
Mumbai Indians were expected to be over-dependent on their overseas trio of Hayley Matthews, Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr, but now the trio has changed slightly in WPL 2026.
Hayley Matthews: Form, Fitness, And Team Balance
Hayley Matthews has featured in only one of MI’s three matches this season as MI made a tactical decision to boost their latest WPL 2026 qualification chances. In that outing against Gujarat Giants, she scored 22 runs and returned bowling figures of 1/34 from three overs, a performance that did not quite tilt the game in MI’s favour.
There were also visible concerns around her fitness earlier in the tournament. Matthews appeared uncomfortable during the opening stages of the season, and MI have been cautious with workload management, especially with a long WPL campaign still ahead.
At the toss against UP Warriorz, captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed that Matthews was being “rested”, making it clear that this was a planned decision rather than a sudden omission. But there’s also the Nicola Carey factor. “Nat (Sciver-Brunt) is back in the side and Hayley (Matthews) is resting today. She (Carey) is someone who is contributing with both bat and ball, she is in form and should continue playing,” said Harmanpreet.
Why MI Are Preferring Nicola Carey In WPL 2026
Simply put, Nicola Carey is delivering exactly what Mumbai Indians need right now, consistency with both bat and ball.
Across MI’s first three matches of WPL 2026, Carey has been one of their most impactful performers.
Nicola Carey – WPL 2026 Performances (So Far)
- vs RCB: 40 runs, 2/35
- vs DC: 21 runs, 3/37
- vs GG: 38* runs, 1/36
Those numbers highlight her dual value. Carey has scored runs under pressure, finished innings cleanly, and chipped in with crucial wickets, often breaking partnerships at key moments.
Mumbai Indians have leaned heavily on multi-skilled players in past seasons, and Carey fits that blueprint perfectly.
Tactical Fit: Why Carey Suits MI Playing XI Better Than Hayley Matthews
One of the main reasons Carey has edged ahead of Matthews is team balance.
With Nat Sciver-Brunt back in the XI and Amelia Kerr floating between opening and middle-order roles, MI needed an all-rounder who could slot in seamlessly without disrupting combinations.
Carey bats comfortably at No. 5, bowls medium pace in powerplay or middle overs, and fields at a very high level. That flexibility allows MI to adjust roles without reshuffling their core structure, something Matthews’ specialist opening role does not currently offer.
Is Hayley Matthews Dropped Or Just Managed?
It’s important to note that this is not the end of Hayley Matthews’ WPL 2026 campaign.
Mumbai Indians are known for rotating overseas players based on conditions, opposition, and workload. Matthews remains a match-winner and could return when pitches favour her power-hitting or when MI look to strengthen the top order.
For now, though, form, fitness, and balance have tilted the scales firmly in Nicola Carey’s favour.
Check out our full analysis of the Mumbai Indians squad for WPL 2026.
