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| Delhi Capitals Women Edge Past Gujarat Giants Women in Thrilling WPL Clash |
25 February 2025, New Delhi
In a high-stakes Women’s Premier League (WPL) match on Tuesday, Delhi Capitals Women defeated Gujarat Giants Women by 12 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The contest, packed with explosive batting and tense moments, kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball.
Toss & First Innings: Delhi Capitals Post Competitive Total
Delhi Capitals captain Meg Lanning won the toss and chose to bat first. Openers Shafali Verma and Laura Wolvaardt gave a fiery start, scoring 45 runs in the powerplay. Verma, known for her aggression, smashed 32 off 18 balls, including four boundaries and a six. However, Gujarat’s Tanuja Kanwar broke the partnership by dismissing Verma in the seventh over.
Wolvaardt anchored the innings with a steady 58 off 44 balls, hitting seven fours. Middle-order batters Jemimah Rodrigues (29 off 22) and Alice Capsey (24* off 14) accelerated the scoring in the death overs. Gujarat’s Ashleigh Gardner claimed 2/28, while spinner Dayalan Hemalatha took 1/31. Delhi finished at 165/5, a challenging total on a slightly slow pitch.
Gujarat’s Chase: Early Struggles & Late Fightback
Gujarat Giants began poorly, losing star opener Beth Mooney (4) to Marizanne Kapp in the second over. Phoebe Litchfield (21 off 16) and Harleen Deol (37 off 29) rebuilt the innings with a 48-run stand. But Delhi’s Radha Yadav struck twice, removing both batters by the 12th over, leaving Gujarat at 85/4.
Captain Gardner (45 off 32) then launched a counterattack, hitting three sixes. With 41 needed off 24 balls, Gujarat seemed back in the game. However, pacer Shikha Pandey dismissed Gardner in the 18th over, turning the tide. Lower-order batters Kanwar (12*) and Kathryn Bryce (10) tried hard but fell short, finishing at 153/8.
Key Performances
Laura Wolvaardt (DC): 58 runs, Player of the Match.
Ashleigh Gardner (GG): 45 runs, 2 wickets.
Radha Yadav (DC): 3/24 in four overs.
Post-Match Reactions
Lanning praised her team’s resilience: “We held our nerves in crunch moments. Radha and Shikha were exceptional.” Gardner rued missed chances: “We needed one more partnership. Credit to Delhi’s bowlers.”
Tournament Impact
Delhi Capitals climbed to third place with eight points, keeping playoff hopes alive. Gujarat Giants, stuck at fifth, face a must-win situation in their remaining games.
Brief Scores:
Delhi Capitals Women: 165/5 (Wolvaardt 58, Gardner 2/28)
Gujarat Giants Women: 153/8 (Gardner 45, Radha 3/24)
The WPL 2025 continues on Thursday with Mumbai Indians Women taking on Royal Challengers Bangalore Women.
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