Delhi Capitals Claim Top Spot with Six-Wicket Win
In a thrilling Indian Women’s Premier League (WPL) match, Delhi Capitals (DC) sealed a convincing six-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants (GG), propelling them to the top of the points table. The win, DC’s third from five outings, was marked by Jess Jonassen’s unbeaten 61 off 32 balls and a strong partnership with Shafali Verma. On the other hand, GG remain at the bottom of the table with just one win from four matches.
Early Wickets Set the Tone
When Meg Lanning won the toss and decided to bowl, she was banking on early wickets to stymie GG’s momentum. Her strategy paid off as Marizanne Kapp and Shikha Pandey delivered precisely what she needed. Kapp, with her consistent away movement, induced edges from Harleen Deol and Phoebe Litchfield, leaving GG reeling at 16 for 2 after four overs. Pandey then compounded the damage with two quick wickets of her own, dismissing Beth Mooney and Kashvee Gautam in quick succession. By the end of the powerplay, GG found themselves in a precarious position at 31 for 4, with the prospect of a sub-100 total looming large.
Bharti Fulmali’s Heroics
Just when it seemed GG’s innings was headed for collapse, Bharti Fulmali, playing her first game of the season, stepped up to the plate. Fulmali, batting at No. 8, showcased her resilience and aggression, scoring an unbeaten 40 off 29 balls. Her crucial 51-run partnership with Tanuja Kanwar for the seventh wicket added respectability to the GG total, helping them reach 127 for 9. Fulmali’s innings included a much-needed six over deep square leg, breaking the shackles of the DC bowlers and providing a glimmer of hope for her team.
Meg Lanning’s Struggles
Despite being the second-highest run-getter in the WPL, Meg Lanning had a tough night with the bat. After a poor start against Deandra Dottin, Lanning attempted a pull shot off Kashvee Gautam but was undone by the ball’s sharp movement, which flattened her off stump. Lanning’s quick dismissal for just 3 off 13 balls underscored her struggles this season, which have been evident since her 69 against UP Warriorz.
Jonassen and Shafali’s Dynamic Partnership
DC’s chase was anchored by Jess Jonassen, who was promoted to No. 3. The move proved to be a masterstroke as Jonassen and Shafali Verma combined to score 74 runs in just 6.1 overs, effectively neutralizing the GG bowlers. Jonassen was particularly aggressive, capitalizing on the shorter boundary on the leg side, scoring 23 runs off eight balls in that region. Her lowest strike rate was still an impressive 166.66 against Gautam, off whom she scored 15 runs in nine balls. Shafali, too, was in fine form, favoring the leg side throughout her innings. She scored 32 of her 44 runs on the leg side, setting the stage for a comfortable victory.
clinching the Win
By the time Shafali was dismissed lbw by Ashleigh Gardner in the ninth over, DC had reached 88 for 2, well on course for victory. Jonassen brought up her maiden WPL fifty off just 26 balls, and despite losing Jemimah Rodrigues and Annabel Sutherland to quick wickets, the game was already in DC’s grasp. Kapp’s boundary off the winning delivery, with 29 balls still remaining, sealed the victory and cemented DC’s position at the top of the table. The comprehensive win highlighted the depth and versatility of the DC squad, showcasing their ability to bounce back from early setbacks and clinch crucial victories.
