Pune Warriors Qualify For Final Of Women’s Maharashtra Premier League

Pune, June 10, 2025: Pune Warriors became the first team to qualify for the final of the inaugural Adani Women’s Maharashtra Premier League with a four-wicket victory over Raigad Royals at the MCA International Stadium here on Monday. 

Raigad, who lost their fourth game on the bounce, became the first team to be eliminated. The top two teams will qualify for the final. Pune Warriors are on eight points with four wins from four games. Solapur Smashers (4 matches; 6 points) and Ratnagiri Jets (4 matches; 2 points) are the other two teams still in contention. 

Pune Warriors looked set to lose their first game with half the side back in the hut in the 9th over with just 32 runs on the board. However, skipper Anuja Patil (28, 26b, 2x4s) and Shweta Mane (37*, 32b, 2x4s) added 53 for the sixth wicket to swing the match in Pune’s favour. 

It looked like the momentum had swung back in Raigad’s favour when Anuja was run out, but Samruddhi Dale (10*, 13b) played a sensible knock to help Pune over the line and into the finals.

Earlier, Raigad Royals were restricted to 116 for 9 in their 20 overs with pacers Akshaya Jadhav (2 for 23 in 4 overs) and Samruddhi Dale (2 for 18 in 3) putting on an exceptional bowling performance.

*Tejal stars in Solapur’s win over Ratnagiri*

Earlier, it was a battle between two teams led by India internationals, and Tejal Hasabnis’ Solapur Smashers did a league ‘double’ over Smriti Mandhana-led Ratnagiri Jets. 

Solapur had won the first league match between the two sides by 8 wickets. This time around, Solapur Smashers posted a competitive total of 170 for 5 in 20 overs and bowled out Ratnagiri Jets for 151 in 19.1 overs to win by 19 runs.

For the second consecutive match, Tejal played a captain’s innings. She scored her second consecutive half-century (70, 39b, 11x4s, 2x6s) and stitched a 130-run second wicket partnership with Ishwari Savkar (75*, 62b, 7x4s) to shape Solapur’s innings. Pacer Anushree Swami (3 for 22 in 4 overs) was the pick of the Ratnagiri bowlers.

In response, Ratnagiri’s chase derailed after Gautami Naik’s quickfire 31 off 10 balls with three fours and three sixes each. Offie Mukta Magre (2 for 18 in 4 overs) scalped the wicket of Gautami and the other opener Anushree Swami (7, 6b 1×4).

Ratnagiri skipper Smriti once again came in at No. 5 with the scoreboard 48 for 3 and had her task cut out. However, she showcased her class and stood up to the challenge with a breezy half-century (52, 29b, 6x4s, 2x6s), her second half-century on the trot.

However, she was foxed by left-arm spinner Laxmidevi Yadav (3 for 35 in 4 overs), who beat the India vice-captain with a flighted delivery, and keeper Damini Bankar was swift to whip off the bails. Smriti’s wicket effectively sealed the game for Solapur Smashers, as Ratnagiri’s innings folded for 151 in the final over of the game.

*Brief scores:* Solapur Smashers: 170 for 5 in 20 overs (Ishwari Savkar 75*, Tejal Hasabnis 70; Anushree Swami 3-22) bt Ratnagiri Jets: 151 all out in 19.1 (Smriti Mandhana 52, Gautami Naik 31; Laxmidevi Yadav 3-35) by 19 runs.

Raigad Royals: 116 for 9 in 20 (Bhavika Ahire 33, Shravani Desai 27; Samruddhi Dale 2-18, Akshaya Jadhav 2-23) lost to Pune Warriors: 117 for 6 in 19.5 (Shweta Mane 37*, Anuja Patil 28; Kiran Navgiri 2-16, Yashoda Ghogare 2-16) by four wickets.

*All-rounder Arshin shines as Nashik humbles Kolhapur*

All-rounder Arshin Kulkarni lived up to his billing as one of the most promising all-rounders of Maharashtra as the clinical Eagle Nashik Titans humbled PBG Kolhapur Tuskers by four wickets in their Adani Maharashtra Premier League (MPL) clash at the MCA International Stadium here on Monday. 

Arshin (2 for 27 in 4 overs) scalped the wickets of Kolhapur skipper Rahul Tripathi, castled for 15 (12b, 1×4, 1×6), and Siddharth Mhatre (2, 8b), and took a catch of Vishant More (22, 21b, 1×4, 1×6) as Nashik restricted PBG Kolhapur Tuskers to mere 134 for 9.

With the willow in hand, Arshin (42, 34b, 1×4, 3x6s) anchored Nashik’s chase by adding 81 runs for the third wicket with Rohan Damle (45, 28b, 3×4, 3x6s). Arshin departed with just 11 needed for the victory, triggering a mini-collapse as Nashik went from 123 for 2 to 131 for 6. Veteran Rajneesh Gurbani picked up 4 for 33 in his 4 overs, but the target of 135 was never adequate.

Earlier, Nashik skipper Prashant Solanki spun a web around Kolhapur batters. The leggie dismissed Vishant More, Shrikant Mundhe (27, 29b, 1×6), Dhanraj Shinde (2, 3b) and Rajneesh Gurbani (0, 1b) to finish with impressive figures of 4 for 13 in 4 overs.

Brief scores: PBG Kolhapur Tuskers: 134 for 9 in 20 overs (Anand Thenge 35*, Shrikant Mundhe 27; Prashant Solanki 4-13) lost to Eagle Nashik Titans: 138 for 6 in 16.2 (Rohan Damle 45, Arshin Kulkarni 42; Rajneesh Gurbani 4-33) by four wickets