Day 3 of the Women’s Maharashtra Premier League (WMPL) witnessed two matches underscoring star power in WMPL with Tejal Hasabnis, Khushi Mulla, and Smriti Mandhana emerging as key players. It was a day of aggressive batting and tight finishes.
In the first encounter of the day, Solapur Smashers clinched a dominant 7-wicket victory over Raigad Royals. In the evening game, Pune Warriors continued their winning streak, edging Ratnagiri Jets by a narrow margin of 5 runs in a high-scoring thriller.
Match 5: Raigad Royals vs Solapur Smashers
Royals were put into bat first, and their top order provided a steady start. Bhavika Ahire scored 11 off 14, while Shravani Desai anchored the innings with a composed 43 off 45. Captain Kiran Navgire played a quick cameo, smashing 18 off just 11, but couldn’t convert it into a bigger score. The lower order couldn’t build much momentum, with only Yashoda Ghogare managing a decent 18 off 16. Raigad Royals eventually posted a modest total of 129/6 in their 20 overs.
Solapur Smashers’ bowling was disciplined and effective, with Laxmidevi Yadav leading the attack, picking up 2 for 13. Aachal Agarwal chipped in with 1 for 14, while the remaining bowlers-maintained pressure by sharing wickets.
In response, Solapur’s chase saw Ishwari Awasare dismissed for a duck. However, Ishwari Savkar’s 33 off 38 and skipper Tejal Hasabnis took control of the innings. Hasabnis played a captain’s knock, hammering a match-winning 56 off just 36, showcasing brilliant timing and composure. Mukta Magre added the finishing touches with a crucial unbeaten 34 off 27, guiding Solapur to a comfortable victory with 7 wickets in hand. For Raigad, Isha Pathare was the only successful bowler, claiming 1 for 23.
Match 6: Ratnagiri Jets vs Pune Warriors
Pune Warriors set a competitive target of 151/8 on the back off a brilliant effort from their top and middle order. Khushi Mulla anchored the innings with a fluent 68 off 54, displaying her flair at the top. She was well-supported by Suhani Kahandal, who chipped in with a quick 13 off 8.
Captain Anuja Patil played a stabilizing knock of 27 off 22, while Shweta Mane added 15 off 13 to keep the momentum going. However, a lower-order collapse meant Pune couldn’t fully capitalize, finishing at 151 in their 20 overs. With the ball, Ratnagiri Jets’ Sanjana Waghmode was the pick of the bowlers with 2 for 17, while Priyanka Ghodke took 2 for 32. Anushree Swami also bowled economically, picking up 1 for 11.
In reply, Ratnagiri Jets stumbled early in the chase. Their top order collapsed under pressure, with Gautami Naik managing 15 off 12, Anushree Swami falling for 2, and Dnyanda Nikam dismissed without scoring. The innings was revived by captain Smriti Mandhana, who led from the front with a scintillating 61 off just 34, striking boundaries with elegance.
Priyanka Ghodke tried to steady the innings further with a patient 25 off 37, but the lack of support from the rest of the lineup meant the Jets fell just short, ending their innings at 146/8- five runs shy of the target. Pune’s bowlers held their nerve in the death overs, with Chinmayee Borphale delivering yet another impactful performance, taking 3 for 23. Captain Anuja Patil also played a key role with the ball, grabbing 2 for 30 to seal the win.
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