Sunrisers Leeds have reached the Women’s Hundred 2026 final after overcoming a difficult mid-season slump and producing a five-match winning run at exactly the right time.
Formerly known as Northern Superchargers, the defending champions endured three consecutive defeats before key performances from Deepti Sharma, Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland transformed their campaign. A composed Eliminator victory over Southern Brave then secured a title clash with Trent Rockets.
Winning Start Against MI London
Sunrisers began their campaign with an impressive seven-wicket win over MI London.
Dani Gibson, Hannah Baker and Deepti Sharma claimed two wickets each as MI London were restricted to 107. Litchfield and Sutherland then shared a crucial 57-run partnership as Sunrisers completed the chase with 31 balls remaining.
Three Consecutive Defeats Put Campaign Under Pressure
Their strong start was followed by three straight losses.
Southern Brave defeated them by five wickets in a close contest before Manchester Super Giants chased down their target in another tight finish, with Smriti Mandhana playing the decisive innings.
Sunrisers then suffered a five-run defeat against Trent Rockets after failing to score the required 17 from the final five deliveries.
With one win from four matches, their knockout hopes were suddenly under serious pressure.
London Spirit Victory Starts the Comeback
The turnaround began against London Spirit.
Deepti, Gibson, Sutherland and Baker contributed with the ball as Spirit were held to 136. Bryony Smith, Litchfield, Sutherland and Gibson then made useful contributions in the chase, with Sunrisers getting home with two balls remaining.
That victory proved to be the start of a major winning run.
Litchfield and Deepti Dominate Birmingham Phoenix
Against Birmingham Phoenix, Sunrisers produced one of their most convincing performances.
Deepti claimed three wickets as Phoenix were restricted to 107, before Litchfield smashed an unbeaten 71 from 33 balls to complete a nine-wicket victory with 31 balls unused.
It was one of Litchfield’s standout innings of the season and gave Sunrisers further momentum.
Another Comfortable Win Against Welsh Fire
The same combination delivered again against Welsh Fire.
Deepti took another three wickets, while Litchfield struck 55 from just 25 deliveries during the chase.
The victory strengthened Sunrisers’ qualification hopes and showed that their mid-season problems had been firmly left behind.
Revenge Against Manchester Super Giants
The second meeting with Manchester Super Giants was very different from their earlier defeat.
Sutherland struck 62 from 36 balls to help Sunrisers post 166 for 4.
The bowling attack then dominated. Jess Jonassen took three wickets, while Deepti and Sutherland claimed two each as Manchester were restricted to 125 for 8.
The 41-run victory secured Sunrisers a place in the Eliminator.
Calm Under Pressure Against Southern Brave
In the Eliminator, Sunrisers once again relied on their bowling strength.
Southern Brave were held to just 114 for 7 before Sunrisers completed the chase with 11 balls remaining.
Despite losing some key batters, Deepti remained composed in the closing stages alongside Jess Jonassen to finish the job and send Sunrisers into the final.
Five Straight Wins Transform the Season
Sunrisers Leeds’ route to the final has been anything but straightforward.
After losing three matches in succession, they responded with five consecutive victories, finding form when the pressure was highest.
Litchfield and Sutherland have provided major runs, while Deepti has rediscovered her best bowling form and become one of the key figures in their late-season surge.
Their Eliminator win over Southern Brave leads Leeds into the final where they now face Trent Rockets at Lord’s, with one more victory required to complete a remarkable turnaround and retain the Women’s Hundred title.
