Lucknow: Harleen Deol starred with an unbeaten 70 off 49 deliveries as Gujarat Giants Women secured a thrilling five-wicket victory over Delhi Capitals Women in the Women’s Premier League, successfully chasing down a target of 178 with three balls to spare at the Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Sent into bat, Delhi posted a competitive total of 177 for five in their allotted 20 overs. Skipper Meg Lanning led the charge with a brisk 92 off 57 balls, striking 15 fours and a six. She reached her fifty in style, lofting Tanuja Kanwar beautifully inside out over extra cover for a six in the 12th over, also becoming the highest scorer in WPL with that shot.
Earlier, in the 6th over, Lanning ended the powerplay with a punch through the off-side for a boundary. Harleen Deol nearly pulled off a stunning catch in the 11th over, leaping to grab Lanning’s mistimed loft, but could not hold on after a diving second attempt.
Shafali Verma contributed 40 off 27 deliveries and was given a lifeline in the second over when Bharti Fulmali failed to hold on to a tough chance, deflecting the ball into the rope for four.
Marizanne Kapp remained unbeaten on 7 off 9 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues survived a review in the 14th over when ball-tracking showed Priya Mishra’s delivery missing leg stump. The innings ended with drama in the final over when Mooney took a blow on her knee from a Kapp lap attempt, prompting a review for a wide, which was ultimately ruled a fair delivery.
Meghna Singh and Deandra Dottin were the standout bowlers for Gujarat Giants, claiming three and two wickets respectively.
In response, Gujarat got off to a steady start despite losing Dayalan Hemalatha early for 1. Mooney anchored the chase with a crucial 44 off 35 balls, displaying her flair for extra cover shots, including a well-placed boundary off Annabel Sutherland in the ninth over. Harleen played a match-winning knock, laced with 9 boundaries. She reached her second WPL fifty with a well-placed cut shot past sweeper cover. She also had a slice of luck in the 15th over when Annabel Sutherland dropped a sharp return catch.
Ashleigh Gardner (22) and Dottin (24) provided valuable contributions before a late wobble threatened to derail the chase. However, Kashvee Gautam’s composed 9 off 3 balls ensured Gujarat crossed the finish line in 19.3 overs.
For Delhi, Shikha Pandey and Jess Jonassen picked up two wickets apiece, but their efforts were not enough to prevent defeat.
With this win, Gujarat strengthened their position in second place in the points table, showcasing their resilience in a high-pressure chase.
UNI
