Delhi Capitals (DC) seamers claimed seven wickets before Jess Jonassen’s unbeaten 61 off 32 balls powered a comfortable six-wicket win over Gujarat Giants (GG) in the WPL. The victory temporarily took DC to the top of the points table with three wins from five matches, while GG remained at the bottom with just one win from four outings.
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, Meg Lanning’s decision paid off as Marizanne Kapp and Shikha Pandey delivered early breakthroughs. Both took two wickets each in the powerplay, leaving GG reeling at 20 for 4. The collapse continued to 60 for 6, raising doubts about whether GG would reach three figures. However, Bharti Fulmali’s resilient 40* off 29 balls from No. 8 helped them post 127 for 9.
In reply, DC lost Lanning early, but Jonassen, promoted to No. 3, combined with Shafali Verma for a rapid 74-run stand in just 6.1 overs, effectively sealing the contest. Kapp’s boundary finished the chase with 29 balls to spare.
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Kapp, Pandey dismantle Giants with Early Strikes
Marizanne Kapp showcased her trademark swing, consistently moving the ball away from right-handers. Harleen Deol, opening the innings, survived an early edge that fell just short of Meg Lanning at first slip but couldn’t capitalize on the reprieve. In Kapp’s next over, she induced another outside edge, this time safely collected by Sarah Bryce. Phoebe Litchfield, replacing Laura Wolvaardt in the XI, lasted just three deliveries before Kapp trapped her lbw for a duck.
Kapp’s double-wicket maiden left Gujarat Giants reeling at 16 for 2 after four overs. Shikha Pandey then deepened the crisis, striking twice in consecutive deliveries. Beth Mooney began the over with a boundary through covers but perished next ball, miscuing a pick-up shot to Niki Prasad at long leg. Pandey struck again immediately as Kashvee Gautam’s mistimed pull soared to deep midwicket, where Prasad ran in to complete a low diving catch.
Pandey went short for her hat-trick delivery, hitting Deandra Dottin on the helmet. After a concussion check, Dottin responded with back-to-back boundaries against Pandey and Kapp, adding some respectability to the Giants’ innings. However, the damage was done as GG ended the powerplay at a precarious 31 for 4.
Fulmali Anchors Giants’ recovery
Titas Sadhu struck a crucial blow in the ninth over, dismantling Gujarat Giants’ captain and in-form batter Ashleigh Gardner for a sluggish 3 off 9 balls. Annabel Sutherland followed up two overs later, ending Deandra Dottin’s brief counterattack.
Despite the setbacks, Bharti Fulmali, playing her first match of the season, led the Giants’ fightback. She showcased her intent in the 15th over, pulling Minnu Mani over deep square leg for the innings’ first six. Partnering with Tanuja Kanwar, Fulmali stitched a vital 51-run stand off 40 balls for the seventh wicket, guiding GG past the 120-run mark.
Lanning’s Form Slump Continues
Despite being the second-highest run-scorer in WPL history, Meg Lanning’s struggles this season persisted on Tuesday. After being beaten by Deandra Dottin in the opening over, she attempted to pull Kashvee Gautam but misjudged the sharp inward movement, resulting in her off stump being uprooted. Her scratchy 3 off 13 balls added to her string of low scores.
Lanning’s returns have been steadily declining. In the 2023 season, she amassed 345 runs at an impressive average of 49.28 and a strike rate of 139.11. While her run tally remained similar the following year, her strike rate dipped to 123.04. This season, however, the dip has been more pronounced, with just 109 runs from five innings at an average of 21.80 and a strike rate of 103.80.
Jonassen, Shafali Seal the Contest with Explosive Knocks
Delhi Capitals’ decision to promote Jess Jonassen to No. 3 proved pivotal. Taking full advantage of the significantly shorter square boundary (51 metres compared to 63 metres), Jonassen targeted the leg side with precision. When the shorter boundary aligned with her leg side, she plundered 23 runs off eight deliveries in that area, including both her sixes. Her aggressive intent was evident against every bowler, with her “lowest” strike rate still an impressive 166.66 against Kashvee Gautam (15 off 9 balls).
Shafali Verma, meanwhile, consistently favored the leg side regardless of boundary dimensions. Of her 44 runs from 27 deliveries, 32 came on that side of the wicket. By the time Ashleigh Gardner trapped her lbw in the ninth over, DC had already surged to 88 runs.
Jonassen reached her maiden WPL fifty in just 26 balls. Even with the quick dismissals of Jemimah Rodrigues and Annabel Sutherland, DC’s chase remained on course, ensuring a comfortable victory.
FAQs
How did Delhi Capitals secure their win against Gujarat Giants?
Delhi Capitals (DC) won by six wickets, with Jess Jonassen’s unbeaten 61 off 32 balls leading the chase after DC seamers shared seven wickets to restrict Gujarat Giants (GG) to 127 for 9.
What was the key to Jess Jonassen’s quickfire fifty?
Promoted to No. 3, Jonassen capitalized on the shorter square boundary, scoring 23 of her runs on the leg side, including two sixes, and brought up her maiden WPL fifty in just 26 balls.
How did Marizanne Kapp and Shikha Pandey impact the Giants’ innings?
Kapp and Pandey dismantled GG’s top order, sharing four wickets in the powerplay. Kapp’s double-wicket maiden left GG struggling at 16 for 2, while Pandey’s back-to-back strikes deepened the collapse.
How has Meg Lanning performed this WPL season compared to previous years?
Despite being WPL’s second-highest run-scorer, Lanning has struggled this season with 109 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 103.80, marking a significant dip from her previous seasons.
Who led Gujarat Giants’ fightback after their top-order collapse?
Bharti Fulmali, playing her first match of the season, scored an unbeaten 40 off 29 balls, adding a crucial 51-run partnership with Tanuja Kanwar to push GG past the 120-run mark.
