WPL: Deol, Meghna help Gujarat Giants seal Eliminator berth with 5-wicket win over Delhi Capitals

Skipper Meg Lanning's impactful 92 went in vain as Gujarat Giants defeated table-toppers Delhi Capitals by five wickets to register a hat-trick of wins and book their place in the Eliminator of the Women's Premier League here on Friday. Already through to the playoffs, Delhi Capitals rode on Lanning's 57-ball 92 laced with 15 boundaries and a six to pile up a competitive 177 for five.

But the total was not enough as Gujarat rode on Harleen Deol's unbeaten 70 off 49 balls and Beth Mooney's 35-ball 44 to be in contention. Towards the end, skipper Ashleigh Gardner (22 off 13) and Deandra Dottin (24 off 10) helped Gujarat Giants past the target in the 20th over. The Gujarat franchise lost opener Dayalan Hemalatha in the second over, caught by Lanning at extra cover off the bowling of Shikha Pandey before wicket-keeper Mooney (44) and Deol joined hands to stitch 84 runs 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.