Harleen Deol‘s journey in the 2024 Women’s Premier League (WPL) has been cut short due to an injury sustained during the tournament. The Gujarat Giants batter suffered a knee injury in the team’s match against UP Warriorz at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, forcing her to miss the rest of the competition.
In the match against Warriorz, Deol injured her left knee while fielding at sweeper cover in the first over of the innings. Despite receiving medical attention, she was unable to continue playing and has been sidelined since then.
Deol’s performances in WPL 2024 were not up to her usual standards. In the season opener, she scored just 8 runs batting at No. 3 for the Giants. She moved up to open in the second game and scored 22 runs but managed only 18 runs batting at No. 3 in the match against Warriorz.
To replace Deol in the squad, the Giants have enlisted batter Bharti Fulmali. Fulmali, 29, has represented India in two T20Is in 2019 and plays for Vidarbha in domestic cricket. She also featured for the Trailblazers in the Women’s T20 Challenge preceding the WPL.
Deol’s absence adds to the injury concerns for the Giants, as they have already lost uncapped fast bowler Kashvee Gautam before the tournament started, and Lauren Cheatle had to withdraw due to a medical procedure. Additionally, their vice-captain Sneh Rana has been sidelined due to injury for the last two matches.
Despite the setbacks, the Giants secured their first victory in the tournament against RCB in their last game. They are currently at the bottom of the table and will face the defending champions Mumbai Indians in their next match on March 9 at the Arun Jaitely Stadium in Delhi.
This development is a blow to the Giants, but they will look to regroup and perform well in the remaining matches of the tournament.
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