DC vs GG WPL Highlights: Gujarat Giants beats Delhi Capitals by 11 runs, stay in hunt for play-offs

“The smile is always there. We felt 150 was a par score with this ground and conditions. Meg Lanning’s wicket was a big wicket, enjoyed it. I think the momentum was in our favour only, Kim Garth started brilliantly. Whoever contributes to the team, will be the best. We need two good partnerships to get a good score, and we got that today. Everyone was in a positive mindset right from warm-ups, and we knew we had to do it today.”

“We felt that if we bat out the overs, we could actually get over the line. Gujarat team bowled very well. We didn’t play to our potential tonight. Our bowlers did an excellent job and I think they were 20-25 short. We didn’t take that many wickets but we contained them quite well. With wickets in the back end, obviously they would score a bit. It is a good learning opportunity for us. My shot playing across the line was poor and two key run-outs. We lost momentum as we lost a few wickets but credit to Gujarat.”

GG 147/4 (20) beats DC 136 (18.4) | Result: Gujarat Giants won by 11 runs

It’s all over as Gardner removes Poonam Yadav as Gujarat Giants keep their hopes alive with a 11-run win over Delhi Capitals. They were defending a modest total of 147 and the bowling unit delivered the goods as Delhi suffers a loss in the hands of Gujarat.

Arundhati Reddy is playing a gem of a knock as she pierces the infield and a fumble from the fielder at cover allows the ball to race away to the fence. That was a horrible miss. However, Kim Grath had the last laugh as she removed Arundhati who fell for a brilliant cameo of 17-ball 25 to leave Delhi nine down.

Arundhati Reddy has smashed Sneh Rana’s high full toss to the square boundary and this is getting interesting. The batter seems confident and has hit three boundaries, looking in wonderful touch with the willow. A wide down the leg side has allowed the ball to race on to the fine-leg fence with Shikha Pandey staying back at the crease and allowing the ball to do the rest and a review confirmed it was a wide. Delhi now needs 20 runs in 18 balls.

Anundhati Reddy has scored a boundary and has found a way to score runs and keep Delhi in the hunt. Delhi needs 33 runs in 24 balls.

Kanwar strikes to remove Radha Yadav as her cut shot brings the batsman’s downfall as she gets an outside edge and the keeper collects it cleanly to leave Delhi eight down with the side needing 43 runs from 30 deliveries.

Ash Gardner strikes and the spinner removes Taniya Bhatia to break the partnership. Tossed up delivery that spun after pitching on off-stump and pegged back the leg stump! Bhatia pays the price of playing across the line and her flick misses the ball as the bails light up. Gujarat further took control of the game as Marizanne Kapp falls short of the crease. The second run-out of the night for Delhi Capitals and this was a massive one. Huge misunderstanding between Arundhati Reddy and Kapp and a direct hit from Kanwar ends Kapp’s stay at the crease. Gujarat on top.

Marizanne Kapp is in some mood as the right-hander dismantles Deol with a boundary and then a slog sweep for a maximim. The drive through the covers was amazing to watch and then the six over the mid-wicket summed up the form she is in. Delhi still in the hunt as long as Kapp is there.

Tanuja Kanwar bowls a brilliant third over in her spell as she gives just a single with Taniya Bhatia joining Marizanne Kapp in the middle. Kapp can still win it for Delhi with her pyrotechnics with the bat and Gujarat will be eyeing her wicket.

Harleen Deol breaks the partnership to leave Delhi five down. Jonassen holes it out to Gardener who swallows the catch at long-off and that’s a huge wicket for Gujarat. Delhi needs 67 balls from 54 balls and this is going to be a very interesting chase from her on. It’s even-stevens and both teams have a chance to come out victorious but Deol having broken the partnership has given Gujarat the edge.

Sneh Rana continues and Kapp dispatches the spinner to the backward point boundary to kick off the innings after the strategic time-out break. Kapp is looking in good touch as Rohan Gavaskar mentions on air, this is the partnership that Gujarat has to break.

Marizanne Kapp breaks away from Shakles as she picks a boundary with a gentle tickle down the fine leg region as Mansi Joshi struggles with her line bowling her first over. A wide along with the boundary has released the pressure and the pacer has to quickly adjust to the line and length, especially bowling to Kapp. The Delhi batter further released the pressure by lofting the bowler well over wide long-on to propel Delhi.

Ashleigh Gardner rolls out her second over as Jess Jonassen and Marizamme Kapp have a job in their hands with Delhi losing three quick wickets. The run-rate is not an issue and a partnership here will bring Delhi back in the game.

Kim Grath is back into the attack bowling her third over and that was a very smart move from Sneh Rana as the pacer induced an outside edge to pack off Jemimah Rodrigues, who departs for just one run after nicking a length ball to the keeper. This is a superb comeback from Gujarat and suddenly Delhi is in a spot of bother having lost four wickets in chase of 148. Brilliant move from Sneh Rana to bring Garth back into the attack.

The Gujarat skipper strikes as Sneh Rana traps Lanning and that’s a big wicket as the Delhi skipper has been in good touch. Length delivery, Lanning went for the sweep but missed it and it looked plumb the moment it hit. Delhi suffered a double blow just at the end of PowerPlay as a miscommunication between Jemimah Rodrigues and Alice Capsey saw the latter fall short of the crease. Just when Delhi was running away with the game, Gujarat with a double blow has bounced back in the game. Both teams share the PowerPlay.

The runs are coming thick and fast as Capsey hammers Gardner for a couple of sixes. The batter dances down the track and smokes a 69-metre six and then tonked Gardner over the long-off boundary as Delhi seems to be in a rush in closing out the game early. This is fabulous batting from Capsey as she has raced away to 21 off just 10 balls. Delhi on cruise mode.

Lanning gets into the act as she punishes Kanwar by smashing the bowler for a couple of boundaries - the first over mid-off and then brings out a cover drive. Delhi has recovered quickly after losing Shafali Verma.

Capsey has taken on Kim Grath and has announced her arrival in some style as she has already hit two boundaries with a beautiful cover drive to drive Delhi ahead. Gujarat needs wickets in a cluster to stop Delhi from gunning down the total.

Tanuja Kanwar cleans up Shafali Verma and she falls for just eight runs and the Delhi opener hasn’t really fired up in the tournament. An under-edge saw the ball hit her boot and knock the leg stump and Gujarat has an early breakthrough. Alice Capsey, however is off the mark with a boundary to the deep fine-leg boundary.

Gujarat Giants take a review off the very first ball and Kim Grath almost trapped Lanning but was saved by the umpire’s call. Shafali Verma and Lanning are off the mark via singles and it’s been a good start by the Gujarat Giants.

Kim Grath will start the proceedings with the new ball for Gujarat Giants and it will be Shafali Verma and Meg Lanning will open the proceedings for Delhi Capitals.

Gujarat Giants rode on Ash Gardner and Laura Wolvaardt’s brilliant half-centuries to post a challenging --- in 20 overs. Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bowl first and Marizanne Kapp provided the early breakthrough by removing Sophie Dunkley. Wolvaardt and Gardner forged a brilliant 53-ball 81-run partnership before Wolvaardt shared a 49-run partnership with Harleen Deol. With the ball Jess Jonassen was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets as Kapp and Arundhati Reddy picked a wicket each.

Wolvaardt falls for a brilliant 45-ball 57 as Reddy picks her first wicket. The batter makes room but the bowler follows her with a yorker and cleans her up. A wicket for Reddy and a well-crafted knock from Wolvaardt comes to an end.

Wolvaardt has found her zone as she drills Shika Pandey past the bowler and this has been a solid knock. However, Shikha brings in all her experience and pulls back by not conceding a boundary and giving just seven runs.

Arundhathati Reddy with her second over and although Gujarat hasn’t ran away with the game, they have done well to cross the 100-run mark. But Delhi will look to end on a high after almost all their bowlers bowled economically despite not picking wickets in cluster. Wolvaardt, meanwhile hit her maiden fifty in the WPL 2023 off 41 balls at a strike rate of almost 122.

The late surge is on for Gujarat as Wolvaardt dismantles Jonassen as first targets the long-off region by smashing the bowler into the stands and then sneaks out a couple of boundaries to up the ante and bring the 100 for her team and also the fifty-run partnership with Gardner. Wolvaardt is three shy of a half-century. Gujarat up and running, eyeing for a bright finish.

Kapp finishes her quota of four overs and she had a decent outing with the ball giving away 24 runs and taking one wicket. 11 runs came from her final over with Wolvaardt taking on the pacer and exhibiting an excellent pull through the mid-wicket.

Radha Yadav trapped Gardner but a review saw the on-field umpire reverse his decision as there was a spike as the ball went past the bat and hit her on the pads. Gardner has decided to go after the bowling as she smashes Yadav for a boundary and the ball raced away between the deep mid-wicket and long-on for a boundary.

Gardner shows her skills as gets her wrists into plays, rocks into the backfoot, uses the bounce of Shikha Pandey and hits it over the covers for a much-needed boundary. Gujarat needs to up the tempo and they have wickets in hands to go for the late surge.

Poonam Yadav into her second over and she is giving a lot of revs and has been rushing the batswoman as both Garder and Wolvaardt relied on singles. Poonam quickly serves her second over, giving just four runs and this has been top stuff from the leg-spinner.

Marizanne Kapp is back into the attack as Ashleigh Gardner gets off the mark with a streaky inside edge as the ball runs away to the fine-leg boundary. She joins Laura Wolvaardt who has dropped anchor but has struggled to get going in this match. Delhi got their second wicket, courtesy a brilliant DRS call and went for another review, this time the umpire went upstairs for a lbw. Gardner missed the flick and replays suggested there was no bat involved. The on-field decision was upheld as the ball was missing leg. Delhi lost the review.

Arundhati Reddy into the attack and the pacer concedes a boundary as Deol hits a length delivery through the mid-off and the ball races to the fence. The 50 is up for Gujarat and the partnership is worth 45 and this has been a steady going for the Giants.

Poonam Yadav into the attack after the strategic break and she almost trapped Harleen Deol in her very first ball. Delhi decided not to review it. The leg-spinner has bowled a good line, just outside the off, teasing the batter to go for a drive with a packed off-side ring. Delhi attacking for wickets.

Harleen Deol finally finds a boundary as she cuts Radha Yadav through the covers and that’s an excellent shot from the batter. Radha has been exceptional so far varying her lengths and speeds. She hasn’t found a wicket but the off-spinner is posing a lot of questions.

The PowerPlay is done and Delhi will be happy with the way it has progressed so far. Kapp has given them an early breakthrough and although Gujarat hasn’t lost wickets, Deol and Wolvaardt are still in the rebuilding phase and haven’t exploded in the PowerPlay. Top stuff from Delhi to keep the batters in check.

Shikha Pandey into the attack and that’s top bowling from the experienced pacer. The lengths have been brilliant and she gives just two runs as Delhi keeps the pressure on Gujarat.

Deol survives as Jemimah almost pulled off a blinder at long-on as a lofted drive from the batter fell just short of Jemimah who put in a dive but could reach as the ball fell just short of her. Alice Capsey starts well giving just seven runs from her opening over.

Wolvaardt plays a gorgeous cover drive as Kapp offers a bit of width and Wolvaardt cashes in by slapping it on the up as Gujarat rebuilds after the early loss of Dunkley. Although being driven for a boundary, Kapp does well and gives just a boundary to keep the pressure on the batters.

Spin being introduced early in the innings and it’s Radha Yadav into the attack. Harleen Deol walks in after the early fall of Sophia Dunkley and will look to rebuild the innings with Laura Wolvaardt. Deol is off the mark with a boundary as Radha starts in a decent fashion.

Marizanne Kapp strikes early for Delhi and she removes the dangerous Sophia Dunkley who skips down the track only to mistime a shot and the fielder at mid-on makes no mistake. Delhi Capitals strike early after winning the toss and opting to bowl first.

Sophia Dunkley and Laura Wolvaardt are out in the middle and with the ball it will be Kapp who will start proceedings. Here we go!

“We are gonna have a bowl tonight. A new wicket, will see how it plays. Will look to bowl well and chase it down. It’s a new day today, we played well that night, they have some world class players. Poonam Yadav comes in for Tara Norris, we feel that it will suit this matchup.”

“We have two changes, Laura and Ashwini come in place of Meghana and Annabel. Laura and Dunkley will be opening for us. In the last few matches, we have improved in our bowling and fielding. We also have had a few good partnerships with the bat, so we are improving.”

Sophia Dunkley, Laura Wolvaardt, Harleen Deol, Ashleigh Gardner, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sneh Rana(c), Sushma Verma(w), Kim Garth, Tanuja Kanwar, Mansi Joshi, Ashwani Kumari

Meg Lanning(c), Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Taniya Bhatia(w), Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Poonam Yadav

Delhi Capitals wins toss, opts to bowl first

Gujarat Giants have handed the debut cap to fast-bowling all-rounder Ashwani Kumari.

The all-important toss is coming up shortly and the wicket looks fresh and firm, according to Deepdas Gupta.. Will be a good toss to win and bat first

Meg Lanning(c), Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Marizanne Kapp, Jess Jonassen, Taniya Bhatia(w), Arundhati Reddy, Radha Yadav, Shikha Pandey, Tara Norris, Jasia Akhtar, Minnu Mani, Aparna Mondal, Titas Sadhu, Sneha Deepthi, Laura Harris, Poonam Yadav

Sabbhineni Meghana, Sophia Dunkley, Harleen Deol, Annabel Sutherland, Ashleigh Gardner, Dayalan Hemalatha, Sneh Rana(c), Sushma Verma(w), Kim Garth, Tanuja Kanwar, Mansi Joshi, Georgia Wareham, Monica Patel, Ashwani Kumari, Hurley Gala, Shabnam Md Shakil, Parunika Sisodia, Laura Wolvaardt

S Meghana, S Dunkley, H Deol, TP Kanwer, Ashwani Kumari, D Hemalatha, A Gardner, Sneh Rana(C), KJ Garth, S Verma, A Sutherland

JI Rodrigues, MM Lanning(C), Shafali Verma, Alice Capsey, M Kapp, T Bhatia, JL Jonassen, S Pandey, Radha Yadav, T Norris, A Reddy

Wicket-keeper: S Verma

Batters: S Dunkley, H Deol, J Rodrigues, M Lanning (C)

All-rounder: D Hemalatha, A Gardner, M Kapp, K Grath

Bowlers: J Jonassen, S Pandey (vc)

Delhi Capitals will look to seal its top-two place when it meets Gujarat Giants in a Women’s Premier League league fixture in Mumbai on Thursday.

The Meg Lanning-led Capitals have had a stellar campaign so far in WPL 2023, with a solitary blemish in their record being a tame loss to Mumbai Indians. The side has returned to dominant winning ways and will hope to brush an unsteady Giants unit out of the way.