The Seattle Cyclones kicked off their summer national campaign at the NWCL 2026 St. Louis T20 Championship from June 23–25, 2026. Facing top-tier competition from across North America, the Cyclones fought through six high-intensity matches in three days, demonstrating incredible determination, bowling discipline, and clutch target defenses.
With thrilling victories against the Strikers and Indus Warriors, the team gained crucial experience against national tournament contenders.
Seattle Cyclones Tournament Roster
- Squad: Akshara B, Ankita S, Dheetya R, Jaivi P, Meera H, Nupur A, Radha S, Ritul D, Saanvi M, Shillan K, Sahasra R, Siri K, Vaishnavi M
- Head Coach: Prajith Mudi
Tournament Match Recap
Match 1: Seattle Cyclones vs Covet IT Daredevils
- Date: June 23, 2026
- Outcome: Lost by 10 Wickets (Cyclones 75/5 in 15.0 Overs; Daredevils 78/0 in 9.4 Overs)
- In the tournament opener, the Cyclones batted first in a shortened 15-over contest. Shillan Khan anchored the innings with 24 off 25 balls (3 boundaries), supported by Ritul Dwivedi (14* not out off 16, 1 boundary), Ankita Swaminath (9 off 12), and Meera Hariganesh (6 off 11) to set a total of 75/5.
- The Daredevils reached the target in 9.4 overs despite opening spells from Akshara Bhavanesh (0/9 in 2.0 overs) and Jaivi Pathak.
Match 2: Strikers vs Seattle Cyclones
- Date: June 23, 2026
- Outcome: Won by 2 Wickets (Strikers 71/10 in 17.1 Overs; Cyclones 72/8 in 19.3 Overs)
- A dramatic low-scoring thriller. The Cyclones' bowling attack dominated early, led by Nupur Agarwal (3/10 in 4.0 overs, 1 maiden), Ritul Dwivedi (3/11 in 4.0 overs), and Vaishnavi Mangeshkar (2/2 in 1.0 over) who restricted the Strikers and bowled them out for 71 in 17.1 overs.
- Chasing 72 under immense pressure, Shillan Khan provided a strong start with 23 off 28 balls (2 boundaries). Meera Hariganesh anchored the lower-order run chase with tremendous composure, scoring an unbeaten 18 off 34 balls* alongside Nupur Agarwal (13 off 16) to secure a clutch 2-wicket victory in the 20th over (19.3 overs).
Match 3: Seattle Cyclones vs DC Titans
- Date: June 24, 2026
- Outcome: Lost by 6 Wickets (Cyclones 102/6 in 20.0 Overs; DC Titans 105/4 in 15.4 Overs)
- The Cyclones produced a strong full-20-over batting performance, posting 102/6 powered by a brilliant half-century from Shillan Khan (52 off 61 balls, 3 boundaries) with contributions from Ankita Swaminath (9 off 16) and Ritul Dwivedi (8 off 8).
- Vaishnavi Mangeshkar bowled a fantastic spell of 2/5 in 2.0 overs, but the Titans reached the target in 15.4 overs.
Match 4: Seattle Cyclones vs Indus Warriors
- Date: June 24, 2026
- Outcome: Won by 22 Runs (Cyclones 105/5 in 20.0 Overs; Indus Warriors 83/9 in 20.0 Overs)
- A masterclass performance in building and defending a total. Shillan Khan (37 off 42 balls, 4 boundaries) and Ankita Swaminath (26 off 42 balls, 1 boundary) set a solid foundation, taking the Cyclones to 105/5 in 20 overs.
- Defending 105, Dheetya Rengarajan (1/8 in 3.0 overs, econ 2.67), Vaishnavi Mangeshkar (0/12 in 4.0 overs, econ 3.00), Akshara Bhavanesh (1/11), and Nupur Agarwal (1/13) spearheaded a clinical bowling effort. Backed by 4 sharp run-outs, the Cyclones restricted the Warriors to 83/9 for a convincing 22-run win.
Match 5: UWI Women's Cricket Club vs Seattle Cyclones
- Date: June 24, 2026
- Outcome: Lost by 42 Runs (UWI 107/4 in 15.0 Overs; Cyclones 65/6 in 15.0 Overs)
- UWI set a target of 107/4 in 15 overs, with Rucha Khairnar delivering an outstanding bowling spell of 2/7 in 3.0 overs (econ 2.33).
- Meera Hariganesh top-scored in response with 21 off 30 balls (2 boundaries) alongside Saanvi Madhan (12 off 15), but the Cyclones were restricted to 65/6.
Match 6: Seattle Cyclones vs Atlanta War Eagles
- Date: June 25, 2026
- Outcome: Lost by 7 Wickets (Cyclones 105/6 in 20.0 Overs; Atlanta War Eagles 107/3 in 11.5 Overs)
- The Cyclones closed out the tournament with another triple-digit batting total (105/6 in 20 overs), driven by an opening partnership between Shillan Khan (42 off 53 balls, 4 boundaries, 1 six) and Saanvi Madhan (29 off 39 balls, 2 boundaries).
- Atlanta reached 107/3 in 11.5 overs despite wickets from Vaishnavi Mangeshkar, Nupur Agarwal, and Siri Khopkar.
Head Coach Prajith Mudi commended the squad's endurance: "Playing six full T20 matches in three days against the nation's premier teams in St. Louis tested our stamina and tactical maturity. Our wins against the Strikers and Indus Warriors showed our ability to win under pressure. We are growing stronger with every national tournament."
Go Cyclones!