In a commanding performance, Delhi Capitals overpowered Gujarat Giants with a decisive six-wicket victory in the Women's Premier League.
The clash unfolded at a venue where Shafali Verma and Jess Jonassen stole the spotlight with their exceptional batting prowess. Gujarat Giants, struggling from the start, could only muster 127 for nine, a total that Delhi chased down efficiently in just 15.1 overs.
Shafali Verma was in fiery form, scoring a brisk 44 off 27 balls, marking her highest score of the season. Her partnership with Jess Jonassen, who remained unbeaten on 61 from 32 deliveries, was pivotal.
The duo added 74 runs for the second wicket, dismantling Gujarat's bowling attack and extinguishing any hope of a comeback after Meg Lanning's early dismissal.
Despite being trapped leg-before by Giants' captain Ashleigh Gardner, Verma's innings laid a strong foundation. Jonassen proceeded to punish the bowlers, hitting nine fours and two sixes, steered Delhi to a comfortable win and lifted them to the top of the points table, although their net run rate lingered in the negative (-0.223).
The Giants' innings was marred by a shaky start, finding themselves at a precarious 60 for six at the halfway point due to a disciplined performance by Delhi's pace attackers — Marizanne Kapp, Shikha Pandey, and Annabel Sutherland, who claimed two wickets each.
Bharti Fulmali offered some resistance for Gujarat, scoring an unbeaten 40 and pushing their total beyond 125. Earlier, Deandra Dottin added 26 with a handful of boundaries, but Delhi's bowlers, led by Pandey and Kapp, were relentless.
Delhi's only stutter came late in their innings, losing quick wickets of Jemimah Rodrigues and Annabel Sutherland. Nonetheless, Delhi Capitals' display was near flawless, reaffirming their stature in the tournament.