Ayushi Soni's Unfortunate Debut: First WPL Player to be Retired Out

Ayushi Soni made history in the Women's Premier League (WPL) by becoming the first player to be retired out. She achieved this unwanted feat during Gujarat Giants' match against Mumbai Indians at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on January 13, 2026. Soni, a 25-year-old right-handed batter from Delhi, scored 11 runs from 14 balls before being retired out in the 16th over. This tactical move by Gujarat Giants aimed to inject energy into the innings, and it worked as Bharti Fulmali scored an unbeaten 36 runs from 15 balls, helping the team post 192/5. Thirteen days into the calendar year, there have already been six retired outs in men's T20s, including two in the same innings in a Super Smash game. One of the big ones recently was Pakistan's Mohammad Rizwan being retired out by Melbourne Renegades against Sydney Thunder in the BBL on Monday. Soni, who was playing in place of injured Anushka Sharma, had a forgettable debut, struggling to find her rhythm at the crease. Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner revealed that Soni was informed it was a team decision to retire her out, and she nodded in agreement, despite being disappointed.