Chinelle Henry authored history during the latest match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025, as the UP Warriorz' all-rounder raced to the joint-fastest fifty in WPL history against the Delhi Capitals. This stunning feat occurred on February 22, 2025, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, where she reached the milestone off just 18 balls, equaling the record previously set by Sophia Dunkley.
Henry's explosive innings helped the UP Warriorz, who were at one point grappling with their batting, to post a formidable total. Her blistering score was 62 runs from only 23 balls, featuring eight sixes and two fours, which dramatically lifted her team’s total to 177/9.
The match started with the Warriorz struggling at 91 for 6 with just five overs remaining. Their hopes seemed dim, but Henry’s arrival at the crease injected instant energy. "When I went to bat, we were in some trouble. Coach said to me 120 isn't going to win us the game. It was about backing my skills," Henry reflected on her game-changing innings after the match.
Henry's extraordinary performance not only tied her with Dunkley for the fastest fifty but also marked the highest score by any player batting at No. 8 or lower in Women’s T20 cricket. Also noteworthy, her 62 runs is the highest ever by a batter at No. 6 or below within the WPL. The combination of her aggressive batting and high strike rate of 269.56 placed Henry firmly as one of the top players of the match.
The initial phases of the game saw the Warriorz struggling heavily, with regular wickets falling and key players failing to perform. It wasn't until Henry stepped onto the field late during the second innings, following both Tahlia McGrath and Deepti Sharma, among others, falling cheaply, prompting the need for urgent runs. With her explosive power, she quickly turned the game on its head.
On her way to accumulating runs, she partnered with Sophie Ecclestone to put together a remarkable 57-run stand for the eighth wicket, showcasing not only her power but also the importance of teamwork even when facing adversity. During the course of these runs, Henry hammered Arundhati Reddy for three sixes within just one over, ramping up the score significantly. Her extravagant approach paid off, allowing the Warriorz to post their total from seemingly dire circumstances.
Notably, she wasn’t the only standout. Grace Harris also made headlines by claiming a hattrick later on with her bowling, cementing the win for her side. The match had revealed vulnerabilities within the Delhi Capitals bowling attack early on, which Henry exploited fearlessly. By the end of her innings, she had single-handedly changed expectations, forcing the Capitals to chase what felt like an impossible target.
Henry's efforts thrived against some formidable bowling from Jess Jonassen, who claimed four wickets for 31 runs, indicating the competitive nature of WPL. Jonassen's bowling was sharp, yet it was Henry's sixes and aggressive strokes with the bat overshadowing any reprieve for the opposition. The Capitals, who might have been feeling optimistic at the start of their innings, found themselves chasing 178 runs with the game slipping away quickly.
The UP Warriorz capitalized on their momentum closing out Delhi Capitals by 33 runs, marking their first win of the season. The match incorporated elements of strategic gameplay, stellar individual performances, and even contentious moments where fielding lapses by the Delhi side were glaringly exposed. After being put under pressure, the Delhi Capitals could not recover sufficiently from Henry's onslaught.
With this match, WPL 2025 witnessed another thrilling chapter as records fell, leaving fans excited for what's to come next. Chinelle Henry, with her unique combination of power and skill, brought excitement to the scoresheet and the stands early this season. Fans and analysts alike expressed eagerness to see if she could replicate this form as the tournament progresses.
Henry's record-setting performance and tracking of her statistics—such as her strike rate ranking third for players who scored half-centuries, and her accomplishment of becoming one of the few to bowl at such remarkable success—positions her as one of the league's most impactful players this year.
Ending on a high note, it's clear Henry's fiery innings not only changed the course of this match but also set the tone for her potential across the remainder of the tournament, fueling aspirations for both personal achievement and team success.