In a low-scoring title clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun Warriors Women defended a modest target to beat Mussoorie Queens Women by 15 runs and lift the 2026 Women’s Uttarakhand Premier League trophy. After opting to field first, the Queens managed to keep the Warriors down to 115/9 in their 20 overs. What looked like an approachable target during the break turned out to be quite tricky on a sluggish surface. Mussoorie Queens found it difficult to build momentum and were restricted to 100/7 in reply, handing Dehradun Warriors a hard-earned victory.
The match started on a bright note for Mussoorie Queens after their skipper, Nandini Kashyap, won the toss and sent Dehradun Warriors in to bat. The decision paid immediate dividends when opener and Warriors captain Shweta Mohan Verma was dismissed for a duck early in the innings. Fellow bowler Nisha Mishra kept things exceptionally tight during her spell, returning miserly figures of 1 for 12 from her overs. With Karry falling shortly after for just 15 runs, the Warriors were quickly pushed onto the back foot, losing early ground in the big final.
Neelam Bhardwaj stepped up to anchor the Dehradun Warriors’ innings when they needed it most. She played a patient yet crucial knock of 48 off 46 balls, striking five boundaries and a six to keep the scoreboard ticking. Neelam got valuable support from Preeti Bhandari down the order, who provided a much-needed boost with a fiery 26 off just 17 balls. Despite their efforts, Pooja Raj broke through at key moments for the Queens, taking 3 for 29 in her four overs to ensure the Warriors couldn’t escape with a massive total. Dehradun eventually finished their 20 overs at 115 for 9.
Chasing 116 for the title, Mussoorie Queens made a cautious start, reaching 30 without loss at the end of five overs. However, the game shifted dramatically once Aarti Bhandari fell in the sixth over. The Warriors’ bowlers squeezed the run flow and triggered a middle-order collapse. Key batters Yashika Baunthiyal and skipper Nandini Kashyap were sent back in quick succession, leaving the Queens struggling at 43 for 4 inside 11 overs. By the end of the 12th over, the equation stood at 68 runs required off 48 balls.
Refusing to throw in the towel, Garima Vashisht (20 off 18) and Dipika Chand (23 off 23) launched a counterattack to bring their side back into contention. The duo chipped away at the target, bringing the equation down to a manageable 30 runs needed off the last 15 deliveries. But just as the pressure shifted back onto the Warriors, Garima was dismissed in the 18th over. That breakthrough broke the back of the chase, leaving the Queens needing 29 runs off the last 13 balls with little power-hitting left in the shed.
Amisha Bahukhandi sealed the deal for Dehradun Warriors with a brilliant display of death bowling. She finished with outstanding figures of 3 for 14 in her four overs, picking up Sidra Farooqi in the final over to choke off any lingering hopes. Mussoorie Queens could only reach 100 for 7 at the end of their 20 overs, falling 15 runs short of the mark.
For her game-changing 48 and consistent performances throughout the tournament, Neelam Bhardwaj was named both Player of the Match and Player of the Tournament. Her inning proved to be the bedrock of Dehradun Warriors’ championship run, highlighting a final that was defined by grit, top-class bowling, and high-pressure defending.
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Source: femalecricket.com
