WPL 2025: UP Warriorz Secure First Win as Chinelle Henry Smashes Record-Breaking Fifty

KKN Gurugram Desk | The Women’s Premier League 2025 (WPL 2025) witnessed a thrilling encounter as UP Warriorz registered their first victory of the season. Riding on an explosive 62-run knock by Chinelle Henry, UP Warriorz defeated Delhi Capitals by 33 runs. Henry’s blistering innings included 8 sixes and 2 fours, making it one of the most memorable performances in WPL history.

Apart from Henry’s fireworks with the bat, Kranti Gaur and Grace Harris played a crucial role in the win. Both bowlers claimed four wickets each, dismantling Delhi’s batting lineup. This win marked UP Warriorz’s first victory in WPL 2025, boosting their campaign.

Chinelle Henry Equals Fastest Fifty Record in WPL History

West Indies all-rounder Chinelle Henry delivered a sensational performance, scoring 62 runs off just 23 balls. Her fifty came in just 18 balls, equaling the record for the fastest half-century in WPL history.

Henry now shares this record with Sophie Dunkley of Gujarat Giants, who achieved the feat in WPL 2023 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Henry’s knock, which featured 8 massive sixes and 2 fours, turned the game around for UP Warriorz, lifting them from a difficult position.

Match Summary: A Stunning Comeback by UP Warriorz

Batting first, UP Warriorz faced early struggles as they were 89/6 at one stage. With top-order batters failing, the team seemed to be in deep trouble. However, Chinelle Henry, coming in at No. 8, changed the course of the game with her remarkable hitting.

Thanks to her knock, UP Warriorz managed to post a strong total of 177/9 in 20 overs. In addition to Henry, Kiran Navgire contributed 17 runs off 20 balls, ensuring the team had something competitive to defend.

Key Batting Highlights for UP Warriorz

• Chinelle Henry – 62 runs off 23 balls (8 sixes, 2 fours)
• Kiran Navgire – 17 runs off 20 balls
• UP Warriorz Total – 177/9 in 20 overs

Delhi Capitals’ Jess Jonassen was the standout bowler, taking 4 wickets and putting the Warriorz under early pressure.

Delhi Capitals Collapse in Run Chase

Chasing 178 runs, Delhi Capitals struggled against disciplined bowling by UP Warriorz. They were bowled out for 144 in 19.3 overs, falling 33 runs short of the target.

The key turning point in the game was the sensational spell by Kranti Gaur, who took 4 wickets for 25 runs in 4 overs. She dismissed Shefali Verma (24), Meg Lanning (5), Jemimah Rodrigues (56), and Jess Jonassen (5), leaving Delhi in a difficult position.

Delhi Capitals Batting Performance

• Jemimah Rodrigues – 56 runs
• Shefali Verma – 24 runs
• Meg Lanning – 5 runs
• Delhi Capitals Total – 144/10 in 19.3 overs

With the batting order collapsing, Delhi never recovered and suffered their first defeat of the tournament.

Match-Winning Bowling Efforts by UP Warriorz

While Henry’s batting stole the show, Kranti Gaur and Grace Harris ensured UP Warriorz secured the victory with outstanding bowling spells.

Top Bowlers for UP Warriorz

• Kranti Gaur – 4 wickets for 25 runs (4 overs)
• Grace Harris – 4 wickets

Their early breakthroughs and disciplined bowling restricted Delhi Capitals, leading to a comfortable win for UP Warriorz.

Chinelle Henry’s Record-Breaking Innings: A Game-Changer

Henry’s explosive 62-run knock not only helped UP Warriorz recover but also etched her name in WPL history. She equaled the record for the fastest fifty in the tournament, previously set by Sophie Dunkley in WPL 2023.

Key Highlights of Chinelle Henry’s Innings

✔ 50 off just 18 balls – Fastest in WPL history
✔ 8 sixes and 2 fours – Most sixes in a single WPL innings
✔ Single-handedly lifted UP from 89/6 to 177/9

Her innings was a masterclass in power-hitting, showing her ability to handle pressure and accelerate the scoring rate.

Turning Points of the Match

1️⃣ UP Warriorz Collapse to 89/6 – Early wickets put them in a tough position.
2️⃣ Chinelle Henry’s Explosive Knock – Changed the game with record-equalling fastest fifty.
3️⃣ Kranti Gaur’s Four-Wicket Haul – Destroyed Delhi Capitals’ top order.
4️⃣ Delhi’s Middle-Order Failure – Except for Jemimah Rodrigues, no batter stood up.
5️⃣ Grace Harris’ Crucial Wickets – Ensured a clean finish for UP Warriorz.

This combination of aggressive batting and disciplined bowling helped UP Warriorz secure their first win in WPL 2025.

What This Victory Means for UP Warriorz

• UP opens their WPL 2025 account with this crucial win.
• The middle and lower order showed resilience despite a top-order failure.
• Chinelle Henry’s confidence and Kranti Gaur’s bowling form will be key in upcoming matches.

This win gives momentum to UP Warriorz, who will look to carry this confidence into their next matches.

What’s Next in WPL 2025?

The tournament is heating up with some exciting upcoming matches.

Upcoming Fixtures

📌 Gujarat Giants vs UP Warriorz – UP will look to build on their first win.
📌 Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Delhi Capitals – Can Delhi bounce back after this loss?

With intense competition and thrilling performances, WPL 2025 is turning into an action-packed tournament.

The UP Warriorz vs Delhi Capitals match was an example of why WPL is one of the most exciting leagues in cricket today. Chinelle Henry’s power-hitting and Kranti Gaur’s brilliant bowling made sure UP Warriorz grabbed a well-deserved win.

With records being broken and new stars emerging, WPL 2025 is shaping up to be a spectacular season of women’s cricket. Fans can expect more high-intensity games and jaw-dropping performances in the coming days.