Gujarat Giants batter Harleen Deol has been ruled out of Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 due to an injury she picked up in the initial phases of the tournament.
Deol, who suffered a knee injury in the Giants’ third group-stage match against UP Warriorz at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, won’t be playing for the rest of the competition. Positioned as a sweeper cover during the game, she moved to intercept a ball in the first over of Warriorz’s innings, only to clutch her left knee in pain. Unfortunately, the 25-year-old limped off the field and hasn’t returned to action since.
Despite her best efforts, Harleen Deol faced challenges during WPL 2024. In the season opener, batting at No. 3 for the Gujarat Giants, she scored just 8 runs. As an opener in the second game, she managed to score 22 runs. However, in the match against Warriorz, she returned to the No. 3 position, scoring only 18 runs.
Deol has been replaced by Bharti Fulmali, a 29-year-old batter who has played for India. Fulmali, who last appeared in domestic cricket in 2021 and didn’t participate in WPL 2023, is a surprising choice. The Giants are grappling with injuries, with Deol being the third player to miss a significant portion of the tournament. Before the tournament started, they lost uncapped fast bowler Kashvee Gautam, and Lauren Cheatle from Australia had to withdraw after a medical procedure. Additionally, their vice-captain Sneh Rana has been sidelined due to injury for the last two matches.
The Giants, currently at the bottom of the table, had a tough start to the tournament, losing their first four matches. However, they secured their first victory against RCB in their last game at Arun Jaitely Stadium in Delhi, winning by 19 runs. Their next match is against the defending champions Mumbai Indians on March 9 at the same venue.
Injuries have significantly impacted the Giants’ bowling lineup this season, including the loss of their INR 2 crore signee, fast bowler Kashvee Gautam. Australian player Lauren Cheatle withdrew from WPL 2024 following skin cancer removal surgery. New Zealand pacer Lea Tahuhu and Mumbai’s Sayali Sathgare were signed as replacements for Cheatle and Gautam, respectively.
Despite a challenging start to the season with four consecutive defeats, a change of venue brought newfound success for Beth Mooney’s team. They set a daunting 200-run target against RCB and secured their first win of the season by 19 runs. However, they still occupy the bottom position in the league standings.
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