On Saturday, Chinelle Henry produced a breathtaking innings of 62 off just 23 balls to propel UP Warriorz to their first win of WPL 2025, reminding many of fellow West Indian power-hitter Andre Russell. Speaking to ESPN Cricinfo, Henry acknowledged her admiration for Russell’s approach to batting, saying, "When he hits it, it stays hit. So, you know, it's just something that I do."
The Warriorz made 138-6 off their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Capitals. Talia McGrath made 58* and captain Alyssa Healy made 36 against 3-26 off four overs from off-spinner Alice Capsey.
Meg Lanning (39), Capsey (34) and Marizanne Kapp (34*) then led a successful Delhi chase as the finalists needed just 17.5 overs to reach 142-5.
Pacer Shabnim Ismail took two wickets for the Warriorz.
With the league phase of the tournament now complete with all teams having played eight games, the Capitals, after finishing top-of-the-table with 12 points, are automatically into the final.
The Warriorz will have an opportunity to meet them there when they take on the Mumbai Indians, who finished as runners-up in the league phase, in the eliminator on Friday.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mumbai also finished the league phase with 12 points after a four-wicket win over the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the Sr DY Patil Sports Academy in Mumbai.
RCB made 125-9 from their 20 overs after losing the toss. Ellyse Perry and Richa Ghosh both made 29 for RCB as Amelia Kerr continued her good form with the ball with 3-22 from her four overs for Mumbai. Nat Sciver-Brunt and Issy Wong also took two wickets each.
Kerr then completed a fine all-round performance with an unbeaten 31 while Yastika Bhatia made 30 and Hayley Matthews 24 as the Indians reached 129-6 in 16.3 overs.
The eliminator will be held at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on Friday while the final will take place at the Brabourne Stadium on March 26.
However, Dottin has refuted these reports, revealing that she is, in fact, fit and healthy.
Dottin was announced as “ruled out” on Friday according to ESPN Cricinfo but quickly moved to dispute those reports on her social media.
“Get well soon from what if I may ask,” Dottin said on her Instagram stories over a screenshot of the report of her injury.
She also took to Twitter to voice her confusion.
“I appreciate all the messages but, truth be told, I’m recovering from nothing but the Holy Ghost anointing. Thank you,” she added.
Dottin was set to feature for the Gujarat Giants after being bought for US$73,000 at the WPL Auction in February.
Giants have named Kim Garth, the Australia allrounder, as replacement.
Garth had gone unsold at the auction last month. At the time of the auction, she was with the Australia squad that won the T20 World Cup in South Africa.
The Giants are set to take on the Mumbai Indians in the opening game on Saturday. The WPL runs from March 4-26.
The Giants had stated prior to the season that the 31-year-old was "recovering from a medical situation", and subsequently announced Australia’s Kim Garth as her replacement.
Dottin tweeted that she was "recovering from nothing" at the time of the announcement.
At a media interaction after Dottin's response, Giants issued a clarification that they had to seek a replacement because they were unable to obtain a medical clearance in time for Dottin.
Dottin put out a detailed statement on Twitter on Sunday, saying, "I remain deeply disappointed by what can only, plausibly, be described as bewildering reasoning for my omission from the tournament.
"At the commencement of the tournament, the franchise claimed that I was excluded from the team because I was apparently 'recovering from a medical situation'. This was followed by a subsequent, clarifying statement that contended that I was, in fact 'unable to obtain medical clearance' despite being granted as recently as February 20th."
She went on to say that she had sought treatment after experiencing minor abdominal pain in December 2022.
Dottin then met two specialists in December and January for second opinions, and was advised rest until February 13. She said she had been cleared to resume training from February 14.
"Consequently, I recommenced my personal training and fitness regime according to the guided timelines and experienced some soreness on the first day of resumed training which was anticipated and reasonable, given that I had been asked to rest in the weeks preceding training.
"I was transparent about this in correspondence with the Gujarat Giants physiotherapist, however, this was misconstrued and later conveyed to members of the franchise's management team as me 'experiencing abdominal pain post-session' which was not what I had indicated."
Dottin said that Giants insisted that she got herself assessed locally even though she was given medical clearance by her treating surgeon on February 20.
"To my shock, I was then forwarded email correspondence from the Giants' physiotherapist, that included the following demand - 'Deandra Dottin is strictly advised to submit her fitness report along with the recent scan by 26/02/2023. She will be deemed unfit for T20 matches in the WPL if she doesn't comply.' This request was sent on Saturday 25th February with the deadline provided being the following day - Sunday - making it near impossible to administer all stipulated medical tests, particularly over a weekend."
She said that on the next day, February 26, she was told via email by a senior manager at Giants owners Adani Sportsline, that she had "a solid role to play" at the WPL but had to produce a new CT scan and report by March 1.
"Whilst I was trying my utmost to arrange an expedited CT scan in accordance with the various deadlines I was being served, I received yet another email the following day (Monday, 27th February), this time from the Head of Adani Sportsline, stating that they were unable to find me a timely appointment at a private hospital from their end and that they would, thus, formally be seeking to replace me in the League."
The Giants are currently last in the WPL table with two wins from eight games.
Deandra Dottin’s Gujarat Giants Women fell to their third loss in four games after suffering defeat at the hands of the Delhi Capitals Women by six wickets in Women’s Premier League (WPL) action at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
The franchise that bought the Barbadian’s talents for US$73,000 in February, stirred some controversy late last week after indicating that the Barbadian all-rounder’s absence stemmed from her ongoing recovery from a medical situation, only for the player to publish a tweet saying she was “recovering from nothing”.
"I really appreciate all the messages but truth be told I'm recovering from nothing but the Holy Ghost anointing thank you #GodIsGood #GodIsInControl", Dottin posted on social media.
However, in a bid to clear the air on the matter, the Gujarat Giants revealed in a statement early on Sunday that Dottin’s absence was due to their failure to get the required medical clearance for the player.
"Deandra is a world-class player and a wonderful signing for the franchise. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain a medical clearance before the defined deadline for this season, such clearances are a requirement of all players participating in the WPL,” the statement read.
"We look forward to seeing her return to the field soon. Subject to the clearance of her medical report, she will be part of the Gujarat Giants squad in the upcoming seasons."
Chinelle Henry’s UP Warriorz Women ended their 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) campaign with a 12-run win over defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore Women in Lucknow on Saturday.
Mumbai captain Harmanpreet Kaur led the way with an elegant 30-ball 51 to help her side post 162-8 off their 20 overs after the Giants won the toss and chose to field first.
Opener Yastika Bhatia also batted well for her 44 against Ashleigh Gardner’s 3-34 from four overs.
The Giants chase started in the worst way possible as English star Sophia Dunkley was dismissed by Sciver-Brunt with the first ball of the innings.
Harleen Deol and Sneh Rana both played fighting innings of 22 and 20, respectively, but the Giants chase never gathered momentum and saw them eventually be reduced to 107-9 off their 20 overs.
Sciver-Brunt ended her four over spell with 3-21 while Matthews took 3-23 off her four overs.
Scores: Mumbai Indians 162-8 off 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 51, Yastika Bhatia 44, Nat Sciver-Brunt 36, Ashleigh Gardner 3-34) Gujarat Giants 107-9 off 20 overs (Harleen Deol 22, Sneh Rana 20, Nat Sciver-Brunt 3-21, Hayley Matthews 3-23, Amelia Kerr 2-18)
Mumbai made an imposing 207-5 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Giants.
Kaur, captain of the Mumbai Indians as well as India, led the way with a classy 65 off just 30 balls including 14 fours while Matthews, the West Indies skipper, hit four sixes and three fours on her way to a 31-ball 47 at the top of the innings.
New Zealander Amelia Kerr also hit a 24-ball 45 not out including six fours and a six. The Gujarat bowling was led by the off-spin of Sneh Rana who took 2-43 from her four overs.
Needing 208 for victory, the Giants’ task was made even harder when captain Beth Mooney was forced to retire hurt after facing just three balls and not scoring a run.
In the end, only Dayalan Hemalatha (29*) and Monica Patel (10) reached double figures as they were restricted to 64-9 off 15.1 overs.
Saika Ishaque led the way with the ball for Mumbai with 4-11 from her 3.1 overs while Nat Sciver-Brunt and Amelia Kerr took two wickets apiece.
Scores: Mumbai Indians 207-5 off 20 overs (Harmanpreet Kaur 65, Hayley Matthews 47, Amelia Kerr 45*, Sneh Rana 2-43) Gujarat Giants 64-9 off 15.1 overs (Dayalan Hemalatha 29*, Saika Ishaque 4-11, Nat Sciver-Brunt 2-5, Amelia Kerr 2-12).
The Capitals, who advanced to the final after finishing top-of-the-table in the league phase, made 131-9 off their 20 overs after winning the toss and batting first.
Captain Meg Lanning led the way with 35 while Shikha Pandey and Radha Yadav each made 27*.
Hayley Matthews was magnificent with the ball for Mumbai, picking up three wickets in her four overs while conceding only five runs. Issy Wong also continued her wicket-taking form with 3-42 from her spell.
The successful Mumbai chase took 19.3 overs and was anchored by Nat Sciver-Brunt, who finished not out on 60 off 55 balls including seven fours. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur made a 39-ball 37 in support as the Indians reached 134-3.
Sciver-Brunt was named player of the match while Matthews, who ended the season with 271 runs and 16 wickets, was named player of the tournament.
Her run total placed her fifth overall behind Lanning (345), Sciver-Brunt (332), Talia McGrath (302) and Kaur (281) while her 16 wickets were joint-most alongside Sophie Ecclestone.
West Indies captain Hayley Matthews produced a solid showing with the ball but it wasn’t enough to prevent her Mumbai Indians from going down by two wickets to the Delhi Capitals in a last ball thriller at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Saturday. The day didn’t start out well for the superstar all-rounder as she fell for a two-ball duck in the first over after the Indians were put in to bat by Capitals skipper Meg Lanning after she won the toss.
The Capitals were restricted to 105 all out off 18 overs after winning the toss and batting first.
Captain Meg Lanning led the way with 43 while Jemimah Rodrigues made 25 as English pacer Issy Wong took 3-10 from her four overs.
Left-arm spinner Saika Ishaque bowled three overs for her 3-13 while Matthews took her second consecutive three-wicket haul with 3-19 from her four overs.
With the bat, Mumbai needed just 15 overs to reach 109-2 and secure their third straight dominant win.
Yastika Bhatia top-scored with a 32-ball 41 including eight fours while Matthews made 32 off 31 balls including six fours.
Scores: Delhi Capitals 105 off 18 overs (Meg Lanning 43, Jemimah Rodrigues 25, Issy Wong 3-10, Saika Ishaque 3-13, Hayley Matthews 3-19) Mumbai Indians 109-2 off 15 overs (Yastika Bhatia 41, Hayley Matthews 32, Nat Sciver-Brunt 23*).
West Indies Captain Hayley Matthews starred with three wickets to help her Mumbai Indians Women secure a five-wicket win over the Gujarat Titans Women in Women’s Premier League (WPL) action at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara on Tuesday.
The WPL is the Women’s version of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and will run between March 4 and March 26.
The first edition will feature five teams: Delhi Capitals, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and UP Warriorz.
Matthews, currently representing the regional side at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in South Africa where she made 44 in their opener against England, was sold to the Mumbai Indians for US$49,000.
Dottin, who retired from international cricket in 2022 after representing the West Indies 143 ODIs and 127 T20Is since her international debut in 2008, went to the Gujarat Giants for US$73,000.
Opener Smriti Mandhana was the most expensive Indian player, going to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for US$415,000.
England’s Nat Sciver-Brunt and Australia’s Ash Gardner both went for US$390,000 to the Mumbai Indians and Gujarat Giants, respectively, to share the tag of most expensive overseas player.
Leg-spinner Afy Fletcher and pacer Shamilia Connell were the West Indians among the list of unsold players.J
The Mumbai Indians will take on the Delhi Capitals in the final of the Tata Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Saturday after defeating the Gujarat Giants by 47 runs in the eliminator at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday.
Propelled by Matthews’ 47-ball knock including nine fours and a six, Mumbai posted 161-6 from their 20 overs after being put in to bat by the Warriorz.
The Bajan received good support from Yastika Bhatia with 26 and Amelia Kerr with 23.
The Warriorz then needed only 16.3 overs to reach 163-3 and get their first win of the season.
Openers Alyssa Healy and Kiran Navgire all but killed any chance of a Mumbai victory with a rapid opening partnership of 94 in just 9.1 overs.
Navgire led the charge with a top score of 57 off 31 balls including six fours and four sixes. Healy was more measured in her approach, making a 29-ball 33 including five fours.
The finishing touches were put on by Grace Harris and Deepti Sharma who made 38* and 27*, respectively.
Harris’ innings came off just 17 deliveries and included six fours and a six while Sharma’s knock came off 20 balls and included four fours.
Pacer Issy Wong took 2-30 off three overs for the Indians.
A batting masterclass from Australian Beth Mooney and another strong all-round performance from Deandra Dottin propelled the Gujarat Giants to a comfortable 81-run win over Chinelle Henry’s UP Warriorz in TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL) action in Lucknow on Monday.
The Mumbai Indians are champions of the Tata Women’s Premier League (WPL) for the second time after a tense eight-run win over the Delhi Capitals in Saturday’s final at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.
Hayley Matthews and the Mumbai Indians Women ended the league phase of the 2025 Women’s Premier League (WPL) with an 11-run loss to defending champions Royal Challengers Bangalore Women at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai on Tuesday.
The Indians batted first after losing the toss and posted 182-5 in their 20 overs.
Sciver-Brunt’s knock 72* lasted only 38 deliveries and included nine fours and two sixes.
Amelia Kerr and Hayley Matthews also made valuable contributions with 29 and 26, respectively, against 2-39 from Sophie Ecclestone.
The Warriorz reply was a tame one as Kiran Navgire, with 43, was the only meaningful contributor as they were bowled out for 110 in only 17.4 overs.
Issy Wong led the way with the ball for the Indians with 4-15, including a hat trick, while Saika Ishaque took 2-24 from 2.4 overs.
The Mumbai Indians will now play the Delhi Capitals in the final at the Brabourne Stadium on Sunday.