The ongoing 4th edition of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) has ignited and delivered edge-of-the-seat thrillers in the first five days of the tournament. The power game has levelled up this season, as the match aggregate of 400 has been already breached a couple of times in the first seven games of the season.
Sophie Devine, representing Gujarat Giants, smashed a record 32 runs in the final over of the powerplay, bowled by Sneh Rana from Delhi Capitals. This feat was repeated by Grace Harris as she smashed Deandra Dottin for 32 runs in the final over of the powerplay against the UP Warriorz.
Ayushi Soni, representing the Gujarat Giants, became the first player to be retired out in the history of the WPL against Mumbai Indians on 13th January 2026 at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai. She was replaced by Bharti Fulmali at the crease. The move worked in favour of the Gujarat Giants as Bharti Fulmali (36* off 15 balls) provided the finishing touches to the innings. The Giants eventually lost the game by 7 wickets.
The UP Warriorz, led by skipper Meg Lanning, facing the Delhi Capitals, led by skipper Jemimah Rodrigues, in the 7th match of the season at the DY Patil Stadium, pulled off a similar tactical decision by retiring a well-set Harleen Deol (47 off 36 balls) in 17 overs when head coach Abhishek Nayar called Harleen Deol out from the dugout.
Harleen was visibly shocked and distraught with the decision, as she was going well in her innings and was just three runs away from her half-century. Her knock included 7 boundaries, scoring at a strike rate of 130.56.
She was replaced by Chloe Tryon, the move backfired as Tryon was dismissed in the same over for 1 (3 balls) by Shree Charani. The Warriorz eventually posted a competitive total of 154/8 in their quota of 20 overs. From a comfortable 141/4 (17), the Warriorz managed only 13 runs in the final 3 overs, losing complete momentum of the game.
The Warriorz fans were disappointed with head coach Abhishek Nayar’s decision. Here is how some of those reacted to the surprising call:
