Navi Mumbai: Ayushi Soni made history on Tuesday, January 13, in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) by becoming the first batter to be retired out in the tournament’s history. This milestone occurred during the match between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy.
Soni stepped into the game after Anushka Sharma was sidelined due to a minor injury sustained while fielding in a previous match against the Delhi Capitals. Drafted into the playing XI as a replacement, Soni, an all-rounder from Delhi, was making her WPL debut under challenging circumstances.
She entered the crease at No. 6 following the dismissal of Kanika Ahuja by Hayley Matthews. With the innings nearing its conclusion, Soni struggled to gain momentum, scoring just 11 runs off 14 balls. In a strategic decision after the 16th over, the Gujarat Giants opted to retire her out to boost the pace of the innings.
The tactical move proved effective as Bharti Fulmali joined the field and quickly changed the rhythm of play. Fulmali scored an impressive unbeaten 36 runs off just 15 balls, hitting three boundaries and three sixes, which propelled the Gujarat Giants to a total of 192 for five.
Ayushi Soni, while her retirement out was noteworthy, has a background that highlights her potential. An Indian all-rounder, she bats right-handed and bowls right-arm medium pace. Soni built her reputation through consistent performances in domestic cricket. The Gujarat Giants secured her services for Rs 30 lakh during the WPL auction, recognizing her as a promising player who could enhance the team’s balance. Her success in zonal T20 tournaments, where she was a leading run-scorer, further bolstered her credentials as an emerging talent. Additionally, she has represented the North Delhi Strikers in the Delhi Premier League.
Soni also has experience in international cricket, having made her only T20I appearance in 2021 during South Africa’s tour of India, where she debuted under captain Deepti Sharma. Though she did not bat in that game, which India won comfortably, it marked an important early achievement in her career.
