Ayushi Soni Height, Age, Family, Biography » StarsUnfolded

Some Lesser Known Facts About Ayushi Soni

• Ayushi Soni began playing cricket at the age of 12, inspired by her brother, while her father had previously played university-level cricket.

• She had no prior interest in watching cricket and joined an academy only after developing an interest through her brother’s participation.

• Cricket was the only sport she pursued seriously, and she did not actively participate in any other games during her childhood.

• Initially, her joint family opposed her cricket career, questioning her future because she was a girl, but her father supported her strongly.

• Her father defended her decision even when it led to separation from relatives, believing she had the talent he could not pursue himself.

• After joining the academy, she met Sunita, who introduced her to the Delhi women’s cricket setup and explained organised women’s cricket.

• She first appeared for Delhi in under-19 selections and was selected in the squad but did not play matches that season.

• Travelling with the under-19 team helped her understand professional cricket structures, team discipline, and match preparation at the domestic level.

• The Delhi and District Cricket Association gave her early opportunities to bat higher in the order as a new under-19 player.

• She was later given leadership responsibilities and was appointed captain of the Delhi under-23 women’s team. Ayushi also captained India B, gaining experience beyond state cricket and competing in tournaments with higher competitive standards.

• One of her key career moments came during a Delhi women’s T20 match against Railways in her first appearance.

• Delhi required two runs off the final ball, and Ayushi hit a six off Ekta Bisht to win the match. In 2017, despite a strong run-scoring season, she faced performance issues linked to fitness and weighed around 80 kilograms.

• She hired a personal trainer and followed a strict routine, reducing her weight by 20 kilograms within six months.

• To manage academics, she attended school three days weekly until Class 10 and trained on remaining days.

• After Class 10, her school allowed flexible attendance through written permissions, enabling her to focus more on cricket training.

• Reema Malhotra and Anjum Chopra from DDCA provided regular guidance, match-related advice, and technical support during her development.

• Off the field, she spends time with friends and watches Bollywood movies during breaks from cricket. Her immediate professional goal is to represent the Indian women’s national cricket team in the future.

• She believes women’s cricket in India can grow through more opportunities for juniors and gradual integration into senior teams.

• In January 2026, Ayushi Soni made her Women’s Premier League debut for Gujarat Giants against Mumbai Indians at DY Patil Stadium.

• She was selected in the playing eleven in place of Anushka Sharma, who was ruled out temporarily due to a minor fielding injury.

• Batting at number six, Soni scored 11 runs off 14 balls without hitting a boundary during the Gujarat Giants’ innings. At the end of the 16th over, with the score at 136 for five, Gujarat Giants retired Ayushi Soni.

• She became the first player in Women’s Premier League history to be retired out during a match.

• This was only the second instance of a retired out in women’s franchise T20 cricket globally. The previous instance occurred in the Women’s Hundred 2024, involving Kathryn Bryce for Manchester Originals.

• After Soni was retired out, Bharti Fulmali came in to bat for Gujarat Giants.

• Bharti Fulmali survived two lbw decisions through reviews and then scored an unbeaten 36 off 15 balls. Her innings included three fours and three sixes, adding 56 runs with Georgia Wareham. Gujarat Giants finished their innings at 192 for five after the late batting surge.

• Head coach Michael Klinger stated the retirement decision was taken after discussions during the 13-over timeout. He said the decision aimed to increase the scoring rate in the final four overs using stronger finishers.

• Klinger said the team spoke to Ayushi Soni immediately after the decision to maintain her confidence. He added that the retirement decision did not affect her fielding performance later in the match.

• Mumbai Indians successfully chased the target with four balls remaining and won the match.