“Deol’s unbeaten 70 was a remarkably mature innings, remarked Klinger.” – Cricbuzz.com

**WOMEN’S PREMIER LEAGUE 2025: A COMPOSED INNINGS – KLINGER COMMENDS HARLEEN DEOL ON HER UNBEATEN 70**

**By Cricbuzz Staff • Published on**

In a closely contested match against Delhi Capitals, Harleen Deol delivered an unbeaten 70 off 49 balls, guiding the Gujarat Giants to victory. © BCCI

Harleen Deol, who made her international debut as a teenager in 2019, has faced a challenging journey in the white-ball formats. Regarded highly for her comprehensive skills, particularly with the bat, Deol has taken time to refine her game, which resulted in sporadic appearances for the national team. However, the 2024-25 season has marked a significant turning point for the all-rounder, highlighted by her maiden international century.

This newfound confidence was evident in Lucknow on Friday (March 7), during her match-winning innings against Delhi Capitals. Pursuing a formidable target of 178, Deol anchored the innings expertly, ensuring Gujarat Giants crossed the finish line with three balls to spare. Head coach Michael Klinger praised Deol’s exemplary performance and her adaptability as a batter. “It was an extremely mature knock,” Klinger remarked in the post-match press conference.

“She formed crucial partnerships, starting with Beth Mooney, followed by Ash Gardner and Deandra Dottin, and finally with Kashvee at the end. Her efforts today were fantastic, yet she’s been outstanding throughout the tournament. We’ve relied on her to fill various roles – initially playing through the middle, and more recently, she’s been batting at three. She has shown remarkable flexibility and a commitment to the team, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

Despite her breakthrough as a top-order player with the national squad, Deol commenced the 2025 WPL season fulfilling the role of a finisher. However, faced with less than favorable results, the Gujarat Giants restructured their batting lineup, reinstating Deol to the top order, where she capitalized on the opportunity. Currently, Gujarat Giants are enjoying a three-match winning streak, with Deol playing a pivotal role in two of those victories.

“I believe she was in a strong mental space. Initially, she felt disappointed not batting in the top three; she began at five or six. Yet, to her credit, she fully embraced the role. Now, if you are an Indian coach or selector, you recognize her versatility in batting both in the middle order and up top, confirming her value in the T20 squad,” Klinger explained.

Gujarat’s resurgence this season can also be attributed to the balanced composition of their squad, which has previously relied heavily on overseas players. The domestic Indian bowlers have stepped up significantly this year, allowing foreign stars like Ash Gardner and Deandra Dottin greater freedom in their play.

“From a strategic standpoint, having the extra quality overs from Kashvee and Priya has been immensely beneficial. They were absent last year due to Kashvee’s injury, and Priya wasn’t selected, but now both have made substantial improvements in bowling and fielding,” noted Klinger.

Moreover, Klinger believes the current squad exhibits a stronger temperament compared to past seasons. “In the past year, six of our players were selected for India A against Australia A, and five debuted for the national team. Such exposure to high-level cricket has greatly benefited them. They’re now playing against names without intimidation, focusing solely on the game itself,” he elaborated.

**© Cricbuzz**