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Delhi Capitals Dominate Gujarat Giants to Claim Top Spot in WPL 2025
Dominant Performance Sees Delhi Capitals Secure a Comfortable Victory
Delhi Capitals stormed to the top of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 table with a commanding six-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants. A stellar all-round performance, including a disciplined bowling display and an explosive knock from Jess Jonassen, ensured a smooth chase of 128 runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The match saw the Capitals restrict Gujarat to a modest 127/9 before chasing it down in just 15.1 overs, led by Jonassen’s unbeaten 61 off 32 balls and Shafali Varma’s crucial 44-run knock.
Capitals’ Bowlers Set the Stage with Early Breakthroughs
PowerPlay Dominance by Kapp and Pandey
Delhi Capitals set the tone early with a clinical powerplay bowling display. Despite Harleen Deol showing early promise with a crisp drive through the covers, Marizanne Kapp and Shikha Pandey quickly dismantled Gujarat’s top order.
- Kapp’s first wicket: She induced an edge from Deol, but it didn’t carry. However, in her next over, she outfoxed the batter with a sharp outswinger that carried to the wicketkeeper.
- LBW breakthrough: Kapp continued her masterclass in swing bowling, trapping Phoebe Litchfield LBW with a late inswinger.
- Pandey Strikes: Beth Mooney, a key player for Gujarat, failed to capitalize and holed out to deep backward square, handing Pandey a crucial wicket.
- Collapse Continues: Kashvee Gautam’s mistimed pull ended up in the hands of mid-wicket, leaving Gujarat reeling at 24/4 in just 5 overs.
Middle Order Struggles Before a Late Recovery
With wickets tumbling, Gujarat’s hopes rested on their captain Ashleigh Gardner, but she was bowled out immediately after the powerplay, making it 5 wickets down for less than 50 runs.
The situation worsened as Deandra Dottin looked promising but was dismissed for 26, cleaned up by a peach of a delivery from Annabel Sutherland. Gujarat found themselves in deep trouble at 54/6 after 10 overs, marking the lowest mid-innings total in WPL 2025.
Bharti Fulmali (40) and Tanuja Kanwer (16)* then stitched a 51-run partnership, helping Gujarat cross the 100-run mark before a run-out and a late collapse wrapped up their innings at 127/9 in 20 overs.
Jonassen’s Power-Hitting Guides Delhi to a Comfortable Chase
A Steady Start Before the Fireworks
Chasing a modest 128, Delhi Capitals began cautiously. Shafali Varma and Meg Lanning played out the early swing, scoring 13 runs off the first three overs.
However, young Kashvee Gautam made the crucial breakthrough, bowling Lanning to give Gujarat an early boost.
Jonassen’s Stunning Counterattack
In a surprise move, Jess Jonassen was promoted to No. 3, and the Australian all-rounder wasted no time:
- She immediately struck back-to-back boundaries to signal her intent.
- Varma joined the attack, smashing a six off Deandra Dottin and driving another to the fence.
- Jonassen took on fellow Australian Ashleigh Gardner, striking three boundaries in a single over to push Delhi to 46/1 after the powerplay.
Flawless Execution Seals the Win
With the equation down to 39 runs in 10 overs, the Capitals accelerated:
- Varma and Jonassen punished errors in length, sending the ball to the fence regularly.
- Jonassen reached her fifty in just 26 balls, displaying her T20 prowess.
- Despite late wickets of Jemimah Rodrigues and Annabel Sutherland, the damage had been done.
Jonassen remained unbeaten as Delhi chased the target in 15.1 overs, securing a dominant six-wicket win and climbing to the top of the WPL points table.
Match Summary: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants – WPL 2025
Brief Scores:
Gujarat Giants – 127/9 in 20 overs (Bharti Fulmali 40, Deandra Dottin 26; Marizanne Kapp 2-17, Shikha Pandey 2-18)
Delhi Capitals – 131/4 in 15.1 overs (Jess Jonassen 61, Shafali Varma 44; Kashvee Gautam 2-26, Tanuja Kanwer 1-13)
Delhi Capitals won by six wickets
For the latest WPL 2025 news, check out our Women’s Premier League updates.
For a deeper analysis of Jess Jonassen’s impact in T20 cricket, visit ESPN Cricinfo.
