The Gujarat Giants have solidified their playoff hopes by beating the already-qualified Delhi Capitals by 5 wickets in match 17 of the Women's Premier League 2025 in Lucknow. Check the match report here
Fighting to keep their dreams alive, Gujarat Giants found hope when they needed it most. In a high-stakes Women's Premier League 2025 clash against the already qualified Delhi Capitals, GG secured a thrilling 5-wicket victory at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, staying solid in the playoff race. (Match Highlights | Full Coverage | More Cricket News)
Chasing a daunting target of 176--the fifth-highest successful chase in Women's Premier League history--Gujarat Giants sealed their third consecutive win in 19.3 overs posting 178/5.
The Ashliegh Gardner-led side had an early setback as opener Dayalan Hemalatha fell in the second over, caught by Meg Lanning at extra cover off Shikha Pandey. However, wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney (44) and Harleen Deol steadied the innings soon, forging a crucial 84-run partnership for the second wicket.
Mooney and Deol went about their business in calm fashion and picked up 15 runs from the ninth over bowled by Annnabel Sutherland with three exquisite boundaries.
The duo shared 84 runs for the second wicket before off-spinner Minnu Mani broke the partnership, dismissing Mooney.
Mani floated a delivery up on the middle and off, enticing Mooney, who came down the track and tried to smash it over the bowler's head, only to slice to Sutherland.
Captain Gardner then contributed 22 off 13 but Deol carried on her bat at the other end and kept GG in the hunt. The match turned on its head in the eventful 18th over when Dottin struck Jess Jonassen for two fours and a six before the bowler dismissed the West Indian batter and Phoebe Litchfield off consecutive deliveries, the second wicket coming in the last ball of the over.
Needing 16 off two overs, Kashvee Gautam struck Shikha Pandey for a six off the last ball to bring down the equation to seven runs in the last over.
Earlier, asked to bat first, Delhi Capitals rode on Lanning's 57-ball 92 laced with 15 boundaries and a six to pile up a competitive 177 for five.
Lanning and Shafali Verma (40 off 27; 3x4s, 3x6s) shared a quick-fire 83 runs off just nine overs to give DC an explosive start.
Shafali was, however, dismissed caught by Litchfield at the boundary as she went for another maximum off the bowling of Meghna Singh but failed to connect.
Lanning, though, stuck to the task and continued her progress with an attacking intent.
Even though DC lost Jess Jonassen and Jemimah Rodrigues in quick succession, Lanning held fort with her attacking game.
Sutherland (14 off 8, 2x4s) gave Lanning brief company but she also perished in search of a big hit.
Lanning fell eight runs short of a century, bowled by Deandra Dottin in the penultimate ball of the innings.
Lanning went for heave to a slower, back-of-length delivery and completely missed the line to see her stumps knocked off.
Meghna (3/35) was the pick of the Gujarat bowlers, while Dottin scalped two for 37.
With this, Gujarat Giants climb to second place in the standings with 8 points from 7 games. They are just one win away from qualifying for their first WPL playoffs.
Meanwhile, Gujarat's victory spells the end for UP Warriorz, who are now officially eliminated. Sitting at the bottom with just 4 points from 7 games, their playoff hopes had been hanging by a thread, dependent on other results which is now over.
Next, the Gujarat Giants will take on Mumbai Indians on March 10, while the Delhi Capitals have wrapped up their league stage campaign.
(With PTI Inputs)