25-year-old Ayushi Soni entered her name in the record books on Tuesday (January 13) by becoming the first batter in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) to get retired out. The right-handed batter from Delhi, who made her WPL debut in match No. 6 of WPL 2026 taking place between Gujarat Giants and Mumbai Indians at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, was sent to bat at No. 6 by the GG team management, but after she could only manage to score 11 runs from 14 balls, they decided to retire her out ahead of the start of the 17th over of the innings.
She was replaced by Bharti Fulmali, who survived two LBW dismissals on the first two balls of her innings bowled by Amanjot Kaur. But post that, the 31-year-old right-handed batter, who represents Vidarbha
in domestic cricket, made the most of the opportunity that came her way and remained not out on 36 runs from just 15 balls to help Gujarat Giants post a total of 192/5 in 20 overs.
During her stay at the crease, Fulmali hammered 3 fours and 3 sixes for the Ashleigh Gardner-led side at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium.
Fulmali scored her first four on the last ball of the 17th over bowled by Amanjot and then smacked Nicola Carey for a four on the first and fifth deliveries of the 19th over in addition to hitting a six on the second ball.
She then faced the last four balls of GG’s innings bowled by Amanjot and scored 4, 6, 2 and 6 runs.
She added 56 runs from just 24 balls for the sixth wicket with Georgia Wareham, who remained unbeaten on 43 runs from 33 balls. The Australian spin-bowling all-rounder slammed four fours and one six during her stay at the crease as a No. 5 batter on Tuesday.
Who is Ayushi Soni?
Ayushi Soni is a 25-year-old right-handed batter who represents Delhi in domestic cricket. She was signed for Rs 30 lakh by GG in the WPL 2026 mega auction held in New Delhi on November 27, 2025. Soni has played one T20I for India in Lucknow on March 23, 2021, against South Africa, but in that fixture she didn’t get a chance to bat or bowl.
She was included in GG’s playing XI for the WPL 2026 match against MI in place of Anushka Sharma. Anushka suffered an injury during GG’s last matches against Delhi Capitals on Sunday, and she will remain out of action for some time.
