Women's Uttarakhand Premier League: Kaushik’s half-century in vain as Haridwar Storm enter final

Dehradun, 25 September 2025: Nandini Kaushik’s unbeaten 45-ball 57 went in vain as Haridwar Storm secured a 3-wicket win over Pithoragarh Hurricanes on Thursday to win their second game of the league phase, and with it, secure a place in the final of the 2025 Women’s Uttarakhand Premier League.

Batting first, Pithoragarh Hurricanes were put on the backfoot with the early dismissals of Muskan Kumari and Manisha Kunwar. Ananya Mehra made a slow start before being run out for 11. However, Kaushik controlled the innings masterfully, stroking eight boundaries in her innings to help Hurricanes past the 100-run mark. She was well supported by skipper Mansi Joshi as the duo added 54 runs for the fourth wicket.

While all the Storm bowlers were tidy, Safina Aziz was the pick of the lot, returning figures of 2 for 23 from her four-over spell.

In response, Storm put up a more clinical display with the bat in the run-chase. Openers, Jyoti Giri and Dipika Chand, offered a steady platform with a 49-run stand before Giri was trapped leg before in the penultimate ball of the powerplay by Ananya Mehra. Chand, who top-scored with a brisk 18-ball 24 was run out three balls later.

That departure offered some hope to the Hurricanes bowlers. Even as they kept chipping in with wickets at regular intervals, with Mehra leading the way with three strikes, it wasn’t to deter Storm from the path to victory.

Vaishali Tulera also chipped in with a brace, but a couple of cameos lower down the order by Kanak Tapraniya (11 off 11) and Safina Aziz (10 off 6) proved handy enough as Storm overhauled the target with 21 balls to spare.

While Hurricanes’ campaign has come to an end, Storm will face Tehri Queens in the final on Friday at 3pm.

Safina Aziz was adjudged the Player of the Match for her all-round contribution.

In the second match of the day, and the last league match of the Women’s Uttarakhand Premier League, finalists Tehri Queens will be facing Mussoorie Thunders who will be playing for pride and looking to bow out of the tournament on a high.