Sanika Chalke's 74* steers Aakash Tigers into T20 Mumbai Women's final
Synopsis
Sanika Chalke's unbeaten 74 off 51 balls — 11 fours, 2 sixes — was the centrepiece of a clinical eight-wicket chase as Aakash Tigers MWS stormed into the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League final. They face SOBO Mumbai Falcons at the Wankhede on Saturday, with the title on the line.
Key Takeaways
Sanika Chalke scored an unbeaten 74 off 51 balls (11 fours, 2 sixes) to power Aakash Tigers MWS to victory.
The Tigers chased down 114 in just 15 overs , winning by 8 wickets with 5 overs to spare.
Fatima Jaffer contributed an unbeaten 35 , sharing an unbroken 82-run third-wicket stand with Sanika.
Thane Sky Risers were restricted to 113/9 in 20 overs; Manali Dakshini (2/20) and Batul Pereira (2/22) led the bowling.
Aakash Tigers MWS will face SOBO Mumbai Falcons in the final at Wankhede Stadium on Saturday .
Sanika Chalke delivered a commanding batting performance as Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburb (MWS) cruised into the final of the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League with an emphatic eight-wicket win over Thane Sky Risers at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Wednesday, 10 June. Chasing 114, the Tigers overhauled the target in just 15 overs, booking their place in Saturday's decider.
Sanika's Masterclass Sets the Tone
Set a modest target of 114, the Tigers made light work of the chase. Sanika anchored the innings from the outset, finishing unbeaten on 74 off 51 deliveries — an innings studded with 11 fours and 2 sixes. Her controlled aggression left the Risers' bowlers without answers for the bulk of the chase.
Sanika opened alongside Humairaa Kaazi (5), and the pair put on 35 runs for the first wicket before medium pacer Kashish Nirmal struck twice in successive deliveries in the fifth over, removing both Kaazi and Sejal Raut for a duck to reduce the Tigers to 35/2.
Fatima Jaffer Seals It in an Unbroken Stand
The twin strikes briefly offered Thane hope, but Sanika steadied the ship immediately. She was joined by Fatima Jaffer, and the pair put together an unbroken 82-run third-wicket partnership to seal the result with five overs to spare. Fatima contributed a composed 35 not out, playing the ideal supporting role as the Tigers reached 117/2.
Tigers Bowl Out Risers for Below-Par 113
Earlier, after electing to field, the Tigers produced a disciplined bowling display to restrict Thane Sky Risers to 113/9 in their allotted 20 overs. The Risers struggled throughout, with wickets falling at regular intervals and the batting unit unable to build any sustained momentum.
Vruushali Bhagat top-scored with 32, while Mansi Patil chipped in with 25 and skipper Khushi Bhatia contributed 21. Beyond that trio, no other batter made a meaningful impact. Manali Dakshini and Batul Pereira were the pick of the Tigers' bowlers, claiming two wickets apiece — Dakshini finishing with 2/20 and Pereira with 2/22 — while the rest of the attack maintained consistent pressure to keep the Risers well below a competitive total.
What's Next: Saturday's Final at Wankhede
With this victory, Aakash Tigers MWS advance to the final of the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League, scheduled for Saturday at the Wankhede Stadium. Their opponents will be SOBO Mumbai Falcons. The tournament has been a showcase for emerging women's cricket talent in Mumbai, and the final promises to be a high-stakes contest between two in-form sides.
Brief Scores: Thane Sky Risers 113/9 in 20 overs (Vruushali Bhagat 32, Mansi Patil 25; Manali Dakshini 2/20, Batul Pereira 2/22) lost to Aakash Tigers MWS 117/2 in 15 overs (Sanika Chalke 74 not out, Fatima Jaffer 35 not out; Kashish Nirmal 2/32) by 8 wickets.
Point of View
High-visibility stage, and performances like hers are precisely the kind that feed into state and national selection conversations. The eight-wicket margin, however, also exposes a structural gap: Thane's 113/9 suggests top-order fragility that the format will ruthlessly punish. As the tournament matures, the real test will be whether it consistently surfaces talent beyond the established Mumbai cricketing pipeline.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the T20 Mumbai Women's League semifinal on 10 June?
Aakash Tigers Mumbai Western Suburb beat Thane Sky Risers by 8 wickets at the Wankhede Stadium on 10 June, advancing to the final of the inaugural T20 Mumbai Women's League.
How did Sanika Chalke perform in the match?
Sanika Chalke scored an unbeaten 74 off 51 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and 2 sixes, to anchor the successful chase of 114. She also shared an unbroken 82-run partnership with Fatima Jaffer for the third wicket.
Who will Aakash Tigers MWS face in the final?
Aakash Tigers MWS will face SOBO Mumbai Falcons in the final, scheduled for Saturday at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
What did Thane Sky Risers score in their innings?
Thane Sky Risers posted 113/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Vruushali Bhagat top-scored with 32, supported by Mansi Patil (25) and skipper Khushi Bhatia (21).
Which bowlers stood out for Aakash Tigers MWS?
Manali Dakshini (2/20) and Batul Pereira (2/22) were the standout bowlers for the Tigers, each claiming two wickets to help restrict the Risers to a below-par total.
