WPL Review: Harleen Deol guids Gujarat Giants home in a thrilling chase

Gujarat Giants Women emerged victorious against Delhi Capitals Women in Match 12 of the 2025 edition of the Women’s Premier League at the Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, March 7. This win was Gujarat’s fourth of the current season.

Opting to field first, Gujarat would have hoped for a better start, but Delhi brought up their team 50 within the first six, and that too without losing a wicket. Gujarat picked up their first wicket in the form of Shafali Verma. Meg Lanning brought up her fifty with a majestic six on the fifth delivery of the 12th over, a delivery after Beth Mooney missed a stumping of Jess Jonassen. However, Jonassen did not last long, perishing in the very next over.

Meghna Singh’s third and fourth overs brought about the downfall of Jemimah Rodrigues and Annabel Sutherland, respectively. However, Lanning did not slow down from her original tempo. She continued to attack the bowlers to keep the runs on the scoreboard ticking. She was inches away from stroking the maiden ton scored by a batter in the WPL. However, she was dismissed off the penultimate delivery of the innings for a brilliant 92.

Dayalan Hemalatha departed for only one off seven deliveries. However, Mooney and Harleen Deol combined well to keep Gujarat in the chase. Mooney fell six shy of her half-century. Ashleigh Gardner combined with Deol to propel Gujarat forward. She looked quite good at the crease. However, her dismissal by Shikha Pandey once again turned the game on its head.

Deandra Dottin came in and played a blinder of a knock. Her quickfire 10-ball 24-run knock was just what Gujarat needed at the moment. Jonassen provided a late scare by scalping a couple of late wickets. However, a calm Kashvee Gautam was just what Gujarat needed, with Deol ending up unbeaten on 70 off 49 deliveries.

Top Performers of the match

Meg Lanning (92 off 57)

Although coming in a losing cause, the 92-run knock that Lanning played was a stunning effort. It was also her highest score in the WPL, the innings comprising 15 fours and one six.

Meghna Singh (3/35 in four overs)

Three of the five wickets of the Delhi outfit were taken by the right-arm medium pacer. Apart from the dismissals of Rodrigues and Sutherland, she got the prized scalp of the dangerous-looking Shafali.

What’s next for both sides?

This was Delhi’s final group-stage game. Their place in the final would depend on the result between Mumbai Indians Women and Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women and Gujarat’s final game. As for Gujarat, they will take on Mumbai in what will be their final league phase game of the season, scheduled for Monday, March 10. The games are scheduled to commence at 7:30 pm (IST).