Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen played a crucial role in Delhi Capitals’ (DC) dominant six-wicket victory over Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) on Thursday. Jonassen’s unbeaten 61 off 32 balls, which included nine boundaries and two sixes, guided her team to chase down a 128-run target with ease in just 15.1 overs at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
After her match-winning performance, Jonassen shared the valuable advice she had received from former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, which helped her during her innings. Speaking on JioHotstar, she said, “He reminded me to focus on playing good cricket shots and to capitalize on the shorter boundary, particularly if the bowling was straight or on the leg stump. He encouraged me to back myself and take advantage of those opportunities. I was pleased that I could implement his advice. Yes, I hit a few sixes, but I also played some solid cricket shots, though there were a few streaky ones in there too!”
Jonassen’s explosive knock was the difference as Delhi Capitals registered their third win of the tournament. The Gujarat Giants bowlers struggled to contain her aggressive stroke play, and her ability to find gaps and clear the ropes made the chase seem effortless.
Earlier, DC’s victory had been set up by a stellar display from their seamers. In pursuit of a 129-run target, Delhi lost skipper Meg Lanning cheaply for 3(13). However, Shafali Verma and Jonassen quickly turned the tide. Initially playing cautiously, the pair ramped up the attack as they entered the latter stages of the powerplay. In the final over of the powerplay, the duo took on Ashleigh Gardner and added 13 runs to take DC to 46/1.
Shafali then targeted Priya Mishra and sent the ball over the boundary line twice in a row, propelling the partnership past 50. The Capitals’ momentum continued as Shafali hammered Gardner for a six and a four in the following overs. However, Gujarat Giants skipper Sneh Rana had the last laugh when she trapped Shafali in front of the stumps to dismiss her for 44(27) and end their partnership on 74.
Jonassen remained calm, ensuring Delhi didn’t suffer any further hiccups in the chase. She raced to her maiden WPL fifty with a magnificent cover drive off Tanuja Kanwar. Despite a brief flurry of wickets, with Jemimah Rodrigues and Annabel Sutherland being dismissed in quick succession, DC was always in control. Marizanne Kapp struck the winning shot to seal a six-wicket win for DC with plenty of overs to spare.
With this victory, Delhi Capitals strengthened their position in the WPL standings, while Gujarat Giants continued to search for their form in the competition.