Sanika Chalke's 68 off 36 fires Aakash Tigers MWS to first T20 Mumbai Women's League win
Synopsis
Sanika Chalke's 68 off just 36 balls — studded with 10 fours and two sixes — gave Aakash Tigers MWS their first win in the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League, chasing down 157 against Thane Sky Risers with four balls to spare. The innings announced Sanika as one of the tournament's most explosive openers.
Key Takeaways
Aakash Tigers MWS beat Thane Sky Risers by 7 wickets at Wankhede Stadium on 6 June — their first win in the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League .
Sanika Chalke smashed 68 off 36 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes , anchoring a successful chase of 157 .
Fatima Jaffar (28*) and Manali Dakshini (29*) finished the job with 4 balls to spare .
Siddhi Kamthe took 3/29 to restrict Thane Sky Risers to 156/6 .
In the men's tournament, North Mumbai Panthers (led by Ajinkya Rahane ) beat Aakash Tigers MWS by 22 runs to go top with 3 wins from 3 games .
Sanika Chalke's blazing 68 off 36 deliveries powered Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs to their first victory in the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League, as they chased down 157 against Thane Sky Risers with a comfortable seven-wicket margin at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Saturday, 6 June. The win ended a difficult start to the tournament for the Tigers, who had suffered two defeats in their opening games.
Sanika Sets the Chase Alight
Chasing 157, Aakash Tigers MWS never looked in trouble once Sanika took charge at the top of the order. She struck 10 fours and two sixes, dismantling the Risers' bowling attack with a combination of timing and aggression. Her 69-run opening stand with Humairaa Kaazi (18) — forged in just 7.2 overs — gave the Tigers a platform from which they never looked back.
Kaazi played a composed supporting role before departing, leaving Sanika to press the accelerator further. The innings was a showcase of power-hitting at its cleanest: calculated, not reckless.
Finishing Touch from Jaffar and Dakshini
Fatima Jaffar and Manali Dakshini ensured there was no late wobble, remaining unbeaten on 28 and 29 respectively to guide the Tigers home with four balls to spare. The target was reached in 19.2 overs, with the scorecard reading 157/3.
Thane Sky Risers Fail to Build on Solid Start
The Risers had appeared well-placed after openers Mansi Patil and Vruushali Bhagat put on a 73-run partnership. Patil top-scored with 40 while Bhagat contributed 29 before retiring out in the 10th over. However, the middle order could not sustain the momentum, a recurring vulnerability that ultimately cost them.
Captain Saima Thakor chipped in with a useful 23 lower down the order, helping the Risers reach a competitive 156/6. For the Tigers, Siddhi Kamthe was the standout bowler, returning impressive figures of 3/29 to keep the Risers in check during the back half of the innings.
Panthers Extend Unbeaten Run in Men's Tournament
In the men's competition the previous evening, the Ajinkya Rahane-led North Mumbai Panthers registered a 22-run win over Aakash Tigers MWS. Ayush Vartak's unbeaten 83 powered the Panthers to 194/6, a total the Tigers could not match despite skipper Sarfaraz Khan's gutsy 62. The Tigers were ultimately restricted to 172/9.
The victory lifted the Panthers to the top of the points table with three wins from three games, while the Tigers remain fourth after two defeats in three outings.
Brief Scores
Thane Sky Risers 156/6 (Mansi Patil 40, Vruushali Bhagat 29; Siddhi Kamthe 3/29) lost to Aakash Tigers MWS 157/3 in 19.2 overs (Sanika Chalke 68, Manali Dakshini 29 not out; Soumya Singh 2/34) by 7 wickets.
Point of View
High-pressure game time outside the BCCI calendar. The fact that an opener can score 68 off 36 in a chase of 157 signals the quality is real. Thane's collapse after a 73-run opening stand, however, points to a depth problem that will haunt them unless the middle order finds consistency. The men's subplot — Panthers going three-from-three under Rahane — suggests the men's draw has a clearer frontrunner, while the women's table remains wide open.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the T20 Mumbai Women's League match on 6 June 2025?
Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburbs won, beating Thane Sky Risers by 7 wickets at Wankhede Stadium on 6 June. It was their first victory in the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League.
How did Sanika Chalke perform in the match?
Sanika Chalke scored a brilliant 68 off 36 deliveries, hitting 10 fours and two sixes. She also shared a 69-run opening partnership with Humairaa Kaazi to set up the chase.
What total did Thane Sky Risers post?
Thane Sky Risers posted 156/6, built on a 73-run opening stand between Mansi Patil (40) and Vruushali Bhagat (29). Captain Saima Thakor added 23 lower down the order.
Who was the best bowler for Aakash Tigers MWS?
Siddhi Kamthe was the standout bowler, taking 3 wickets for 29 runs to restrict the Risers in the second half of their innings.
What happened in the men's T20 Mumbai League match?
North Mumbai Panthers, led by Ajinkya Rahane, beat Aakash Tigers MWS by 22 runs. Ayush Vartak hit an unbeaten 83 to power Panthers to 194/6, and the Tigers fell short at 172/9 despite Sarfaraz Khan's 62. Panthers are now top of the table with three wins from three games.
