The Women’s Premier League just witnessed something that had never happened before. On January 13, 2026, Ayushi Soni made history in a way nobody really wants to; she became the first batter to be retired out in WPL history during the Gujarat Giants’ clash against the Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
What Happened During Soni’s Debut?
Soni replaced injured Anushka Sharma and walked in at number six for her WPL debut. The 25-year-old, bought for Rs 30 lakh at the auction, managed just 11 runs off 14 balls without hitting a single boundary. With Gujarat at 135 in the 16th over, the team management retired her out.
Head coach Michael Klinger made the tactical decision after Soni couldn’t accelerate despite instructions during the 13th over timeout. They brought in power-hitter Bharti Fulmali for the final four overs. Klinger estimated the move added 20 extra runs to the total.
Bharti Fulmali delivered immediately. She smashed an unbeaten 36 off 15 balls with three fours and three sixes. Her partnership with Georgia Wareham (43 not out) added 56 runs in 24 balls, taking Gujarat Giants to 192 for 5.
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How Does Retired Out Actually Work?
Retired out is a legal tactical dismissal where teams remove a slow-scoring batter and bring in someone who can accelerate. It’s different from retiring hurt, this is strategic, not injury-related.
The tactic is gaining traction in T20 cricket. Two batters were retired out in New Zealand’s Super Smash days earlier. Mohammad Rizwan retired from the BBL on January 12. But this was the first WPL instance and only the second in women’s franchise T20 after Kathryn Bryce in The Hundred 2024.
What Was the Match Outcome?
Mumbai Indians chased down 193 with seven wickets and four balls remaining. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored an unbeaten 71 off 43 balls, supported by Nicola Carey’s 38 not out off 23.
Mumbai’s win extended their perfect 8-0 record against Gujarat Giants in the WPL. Gujarat’s fielding, including two dropped catches by Soni, didn’t help their cause.
What Does This Mean Going Forward?
The tactical gamble nearly worked. Fulmali’s blitz proved the strategy had merit, even though Gujarat couldn’t defend the total. Whether more WPL teams adopt this approach depends on how willing they are to make tough in-game calls.
Soni’s name is now in the record books as the first WPL batter retired.
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