Even after getting a week to prepare their strategy, the Gujarat Giants failed to iron out the chinks which saw the side lose three out of its four matches so far in the Women’s Premier League.
Harleen Deol was promoted to open alongside Beth Mooney, while out of form Laura Wolvaardt was replaced by Phoebe Litchfield in the line-up. However, these changes failed to pay dividends as their top order continued to be inconsistent.
The Ashleigh Gardner-led team suffered a six-wicket loss to Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
Despite Meg Lanning falling to a 21-year-old Indian pacer’s bowling – Kashvee Gautam with a ball that nipped back into the Australian – for a second match in a row, her side comfortably chased down 128 in 15.1 overs.
Jess Jonassen atoned her expensive bowling earlier in the match with a classy half-century (61 not out off 32 balls) after being pushed up the order as she stitched a 74-run partnership with Shafali Verma (44 off 27 balls) for the second wicket.
With this win, the two-time finalist has momentarily replaced Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the top of the standings with six points off five matches.
AS IT HAPPENED: DC vs GG Highlights
Earlier, Gujarat Giants’ innings never really got going. The DC pacers made the most of the seam movement on offer on a fresh wicket and put their side on the driving seat at the end of the PowerPlay.
Marizanne Kapp hurt GG with a double-wicket maiden in the fourth over. The South African bowler forced Harleen to open her arms and nick one behind the stumps to Sarah Bryce before trapping Litchfield lbw.
Shikha Pandey added insult to injury by picking two wickets in as many balls in the next over. Both Mooney and a promoted Kashvee holed out to a proactive Niki Prasad off Shikha’s bowling.
Titas Sadhu, playing her first match this season, claimed the big wicket of skipper Gardner. The Bengal pacer tweaked her line and bowled at the stumps in her second over, which bore fruit instantly as she knocked down Gardner’s stumps.
Struggling at 41 for five, West Indies all-rounder Deandra Dottin (26 off 24 balls) tried to steady the ship but she was sent back to the hut by Annabel Sutherland.
It was Bharti Fulmali (40 not out 29) and Tanuja Kanwer (16 off 24 balls) who added 51 runs for the seventh wicket which brought the side back on track. Bharti stayed at the crease till the end and finished the innings with a four to help the Giants post a decent total. But, that was never going to be defended.
