Making a difference: Harleen’s contributions have been vital as GG gets ready to face MI in the Eliminator.
| Photo Credit: EMMANUAL YOGINI
Harleen Deol suffered an abrupt and premature end to her campaign in the second edition of the Women’s Premier League. In only Gujarat Giants’ third game of the season, Harleen attempted to stop a ball at sweeper cover, but ended up in agonising pain as she clutched her left knee and limped off the field. She had to undergo a lengthy rehab before coming back into the fold.
That was March of 2024. A year later, helped by a comeback to the India ODI set-up in December, Harleen is back in good spirits and playing a pivotal role with the bat as GG braces up for its first knockout battle in three seasons.
At the end of the league phase, she is ninth in the run-getters’ list, with 224 runs in eight matches at an average of 44.80. A week ago, her highest score this season – an unbeaten 70 – came in a winning cause against table-topper Delhi Capitals.
The Eliminator against Mumbai Indians on Thursday will be a different ball game, but the 26-year-old seems to be confident about her team turning up on the big stage. “Whenever you play big matches, it is just about handling the pressure the right way. Whoever does that is going to win. They have played two back-to-back matches and just have a day’s break. They are coming off a loss. So, they also have a challenge,” Harleen told The Hindu on Wednesday.
Team effort
Asked about GG’s turnaround this season, Harleen put it down to having the right mix of players. “The gaps that were there in the team have been filled by new people. (Deandra) Dottin has come in. Her four overs, fielding and batting, and the impact she has while batting, nobody can do that. In these leagues, it is just about finding the right combinations. At the right moments, the right people have clicked,” she said.
Published – March 12, 2025 06:24 pm IST
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