In a thrilling match at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium, the Delhi Capitals came up short against the Gujarat Giants due to their batting struggles. The Giants were seeking revenge after their 10-wicket loss to the Capitals earlier in the season, and made the most of crucial moments in the game to secure an 11-run win.
Gujarat’s all-round bowling performance was the key to their victory, as they successfully defended their total of 147. Ashleigh Gardner particularly stood out among the overseas recruits, putting on a superb all-round display by hitting an unbeaten 33-ball 51 and taking two wickets for just 19 runs in 3.4 overs.
The Giants are now fourth in the five-team table, leapfrogging over the RCB, while DC’s points tally remains at 8 from 6 games. The win ensures that the Giants remain in contention for a place in the playoffs.
Delhi’s batting unit crumbled under pressure, with seven batters dismissed for single-digit scores. While Arundhati Reddy and Shikha Pandey kept Delhi’s hopes alive with a 35-run ninth-wicket partnership, Kim Garth’s impressive spell eventually put an end to their resistance. Despite Reddy’s valiant effort, hitting four fours in her 17-ball 25, she was caught at cover when Delhi needed another 13 runs to win. Gardner took the final wicket of Ekta Yadav to seal the game.
In the first half of the contest, half-centuries from Laura Wolvaardt and Gardner took the Giants to a total of 147/4 in their 20 overs after a slow start. Wolvaardt and Gardner added 81 runs for the third wicket from just 53 balls. Delhi’s Meg Lanning was pinned leg-before wicket by Giants captain Sneh Rana, while Alice Capsey was run out after a poor call for a single with Jemimah Rodrigues.
Overall, though Gujarat Giants were able to execute when it mattered most, Delhi Capitals’ batting let them down. The contest, which was the second meeting between the two teams in the Women’s Premier League, provided an exciting display of cricket for fans.
