Delhi Capitals Crush Gujarat Giants by Six Wickets to Go Top of WPL

Delhi Capitals delivered a clinical performance, defeating Gujarat Giants by six wickets to reclaim the top spot in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). A disciplined bowling effort restricted the Giants to 127/9, which the Capitals comfortably chased down in 15.1 overs.

Dominant Bowling Sets the Tone

Delhi Capitals dominated the first six overs, dismantling Gujarat’s top order. Despite an early cover drive from Harleen Deol off Shikha Pandey, Marizanne Kapp’s swing bowling proved lethal. Kapp dismissed Deol with an outswinger and trapped Phoebe Litchfield LBW with an inswinger.

Beth Mooney holed out at deep backward square, and Pandey struck again, removing Kashvee Gautam for a meager 24/4 inside five overs. Captain Ash Gardner’s resistance was short-lived as she dragged the ball onto her stumps, leaving Gujarat in deep trouble before the PowerPlay ended.

Deandra Dottin tried to revive the innings with a quick 26 but fell to a stunning delivery from Annabel Sutherland. At the 10-over mark, Gujarat Giants had only managed 54, the lowest score at this stage in WPL 2024. A 51-run stand between Bharti Fulmali (40*) and Tanuja Kanwer (16) pushed the total past 100, but the late wickets of Kanwer and Simran Shaikh ensured Gujarat ended with a below-par 127/9.

Jonassen & Varma Power Capitals to Victory

Chasing 128, Delhi Capitals took a cautious approach early, scoring 13/0 in three overs. However, Meg Lanning struggled against the new ball and was bowled by Gautam.

Jess Jonassen, promoted to No.3, signaled her intent instantly with a flurry of boundaries. Shafali Varma joined the assault, dispatching Dottin for a six and following it up with a stylish on-drive. The Capitals raced to 46/1 after the PowerPlay.

Jonassen and Varma dismantled Gujarat’s bowling attack, punishing every error in length. Both batters took on Priya Mishra for a massive 14-run over, reducing the equation to just 39 runs with over 10 overs to spare. Jonassen, in a dominant display, reached her half-century in just 26 balls.

Gujarat managed to dismiss Jemimah Rodrigues and Sutherland late in the innings, but the damage was already done. Jonassen remained unbeaten on 61*, sealing the win and taking Delhi Capitals to the top of the WPL table, while Gujarat Giants languished at the bottom.

Brief Scores:

Gujarat Giants – 127/9 in 20 overs (Bharti Fulmani 40*, Deandra Dottin 26; Marizanne Kapp 2-17, Shikha Pandey 2-18)

Delhi Capitals – 131/4 in 15.1 overs (Jess Jonassen 61*, Shafali Varma 44; Kashvee Gautam 2-26, Tanuja Kanwer 1-13)

Result: Delhi Capitals won by six wickets.