The inaugural edition of the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League progressed into Day 2 with the much-anticipated clash between Raigad Royals and Pune warriors and the evening encounter between Ratnagiri Jets and Solapur Smashers at Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Ground in Pune.
Pune Warriors started the campaign with back-to-back victories, most recently winning against Raigad Royals by 8 wickets. On the other hand, Solapur Smashers turned their faith with a win against Ratnagiri Jets. The tournament is setting examples, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of women’s cricket in the region.
Match 3: Raigad Royals vs Pune Warriors
Being put to bat first, the Raigad Royals never found their rhythm. The top order failed to provide a solid start, with captain Kiran Navgire dismissed for a golden duck and Bhavika Ahire managing just 8 runs. Aditi Gaikwad held the innings briefly with a cautious 13 off 22, but the middle order crumbled under pressure as Rutuja Gilbile fell without scoring, while Sneha Bhandare contributed only 7 off 16.
The lower order offered a flicker of resistance. Ayesha Shaikh gritty 24 off 22 and Roshni Parrdhi’s explosive unbeaten 14 off 6 helped Raigad post a modest total of 102/8. Pune’s bowlers, however, were the true game-changers. Chinmayee Borphale delivered a match-winning spell, picking up 4 wickets for just 19 runs, and was well-supported by Samruddhi Dale, who bagged 2/29. Their clinical performance ensured regular breakthroughs and prevented Raigad from gaining any momentum.
In response, Pune Warriors had a slight stutter early on with Suhani Kahandal dismissed for just 4. But a composed partnership between Khushi Mulla 29 off 23 and Akshaya Jadhav 36* off 37 laid a strong foundation for the chase. Although skipper Anuja Patil was retired hurt for 5, Shweta Mane stepped up with a fluent 23* off 17 to guide the team home. Raigad’s Pradnya Veerkar managed to pick up a lone wicket, conceding just 4 runs in her over, but it wasn’t enough to derail Pune’s confident chase. The Warriors reached the target in 14.5 overs, finishing at 103/2 and securing their second win of the tournament.
Match 4: Ratnagiri Jets vs Solapur Smashers
The evening fixture saw the Solapur Smashers clinch their first win of the tournament in dominant fashion, defeating the Ratnagiri Jets by 8 wickets. Being put to bat first, Ratnagiri Jets couldn’t capitalize on the start, after Gautami Naik scored a brisk 20 off 12 balls. However, the momentum quickly fell when captain Smriti Mandhana was bowled for just 1 run, a major setback for the Jets.
Middle-order contributions from Shivali Shinde 25 off 18 and Anushree Swami 20 off 23 kept the Jets in the contest, but the lower order failed to offer resistance, collapsing for single-digit scores. Solapur’s bowling unit was clinical, with Aarti Kedar delivering an exceptional spell of 3/10. She was ably supported by Aachal Agarwal (3/16), while Mukta Magre (2/17) and Sharayu Kulkarni (2/33) chipped in crucial wickets to bowl Ratnagiri out for 120 in 19.3 overs.
Chasing 121, the Solapur Smashers put on a composed and controlled batting display. Opener Ishwari Awasare anchored the early phase of the innings with a well-paced 37 off 33, while Ishwari Savkar contributed a steady 16 off 24. Captain Tejal Hasabnis then took charge with an unbeaten 43* off just 23, showcasing her attacking flair. She was well supported by Mukta Magre, who remained not out on 16* off 17, as Solapur comfortably reached 123/2 in 16 overs. Nandini Sonawane was the only wicket-taker for Ratnagiri, finishing with figures of 1/21.
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