Ayushi Soni WPL 2026: The Women’s Premier League (WPL) witnessed a historic first on Tuesday night as Gujarat Giants’ debutant Ayushi Soni became the first batter in the tournament’s history to be “Retired Out.”
The landmark moment occurred during Match No. 6 of the 2026 season at the DY Patil Stadium, where the Giants faced off against the defending champions, Mumbai Indians. While the term “Retired Hurt” is common in cricket, the “Retired Out” dismissal is a rare tactical maneuver often used in the shortest format to inject fresh power into the death overs.
A Bold Strategic Gamble
Ayushi Soni, a 25-year-old all-rounder from Delhi who represents Vidarbha domestically, was drafted into the XI as a replacement for the injured Anushka Sharma. Coming in at No. 6, Soni found it difficult to find her rhythm against a disciplined Mumbai bowling attack.
She managed 11 runs off 14 balls without a single boundary. With the Giants’ innings stuttering at 135/5 and only four overs remaining, Head Coach Michael Klinger and the management decided to pull the trigger.
“We spoke to Ayushi and Georgia [Wareham] during the 13-over timeout about lifting the rate,” Klinger explained post-match. “We knew we had firepower left in the shed. By the end of the 16th over, we felt it was the right time to bring in Bharti for a late flourish.”
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The Impact: Fulmali’s Firecrackers
The decision proved to be a masterstroke. Bharti Fulmali, who replaced Soni, turned the tide of the innings instantly. Despite surviving two consecutive LBW reviews on her first two deliveries, Fulmali unleashed a sensational assault, smashing an unbeaten 36 off just 15 balls* (including 3 fours and 3 sixes).
Her explosive partnership with Georgia Wareham (43*) added 56 runs in just 24 balls, propelling the Giants to a formidable total of 192/5.
Context and Rarity
This marks only the second instance of a “Retired Out” dismissal in major women’s franchise T20 leagues. The first occurred in The Hundred (2024), when Scottish star Kathryn Bryce retired out for the Manchester Originals.
While the Giants’ tactical brilliance set a high bar, it wasn’t enough to secure a win. Mumbai Indians’ captain Harmanpreet Kaur responded with a batting masterclass, scoring an unbeaten 71 off 43 balls to lead her side to a 7-wicket victory with four balls to spare.
Despite the loss, the Giants’ willingness to use advanced T20 tactics like “Retired Out” signals a shift in how the women’s game is being played at the highest level.
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