Harleen Deol WPL - True Income

“New season, new captain, same high-voltage WPL drama.”

The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 continued its thrilling start as Gujarat Giants (GG) faced Delhi Capitals (DC) in Match 4 at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy – Cricket Ground in Navi Mumbai, India, on January 10, 2026. With early momentum at stake, both teams entered the contest under very different circumstances.

Delhi Capitals, led by new skipper Jemimah Rodrigues, won the toss and chose to bowl first. It was a confident decision after DC’s heavy 50-run loss to Mumbai Indians in their opening match. Gujarat Giants, on the other hand, arrived with confidence after securing a 10-run win over UP Warriorz, looking to strengthen their early position on the points table.

Match Highlights

The pitch was largely batter-friendly, with straight boundaries measuring around 66 meters and square boundaries close to 56 meters. However, the lack of early dew allowed bowlers some control in the Powerplay. DC’s pacers made early inroads, maintaining an economy rate of nearly six runs per over.

A key early moment came when Rajeshwari Gayakwad dismissed Shafali Verma, breaking Gujarat’s rhythm and giving DC much-needed momentum. Despite the setback, Beth Mooney and Harleen Deol steadied the innings, continuing their reputation as one of GG’s most reliable partnerships.

Final Scores

Gujarat Giants (GG) batted first after Delhi Capitals (DC) won the toss and chose to bowl at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy on January 10, 2026. GG reaching 209 all out. DC’s chase stood at around 78/1 after 9 overs in ongoing updates.

WPL

Team Context & Turning Points

Delhi Capitals kept their bowling attack unchanged, showing faith in their lineup despite the opening loss. Jemimah Rodrigues, captaining DC for the first time, remained optimistic, highlighting flashes of brilliance within the squad. Chinelle Henry’s power-hitting ability added depth to DC’s middle order, keeping the chase alive.

Gujarat Giants leaned on recent history for confidence. In WPL 2025, GG defeated DC by five wickets, with Harleen Deol winning Player of the Match—a reminder of GG’s growing dominance in crucial moments. Although DC still held a slight edge in head-to-head records, Gujarat’s current form shifted the balance.

Key Performances

Harleen Deol & Beth Mooney controlled the innings after early pressure
Rajeshwari Gayakwad set the tone with early breakthroughs
Jemimah Rodrigues’ captaincy debut added leadership stability
Pitch conditions later favored batters, hinting at a competitive finish

This early-season clash highlighted the intensity of WPL 2026, where every match carries playoff implications. With Gujarat Giants extending their strong start and Delhi Capitals still searching for rhythm, the tournament has already begun delivering high-stakes drama.

Harleen Deol is back — and this time, it’s more than just a return. It’s a statement.

On December 28, 2025, the Indian women’s cricket all-rounder made headlines after being named in India’s playing XI for the 4th T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram. She replaced Jemimah Rodrigues, who was ruled out due to mild fever and weakness. With India already leading the series 3–0, Deol’s inclusion added excitement and depth as Sri Lanka chose to bowl first after winning the toss.

A Comeback Built on Pain and Patience

Deol’s journey back hasn’t been easy. During the WPL 2024 season, she suffered a devastating ACL tear while fielding for Gujarat Giants, forcing her out of action for months. The injury ended her WPL campaign abruptly and threatened her momentum at the international level.

But setbacks didn’t stop her — they sharpened her.

By late 2024, Deol returned stronger, calmer, and more focused. She scored 70 runs in the ODI series against Australia and went on to smash her maiden ODI century against the West Indies. Cricket experts praised her mental toughness, noting how the injury break helped refine her technique and mindset.

Consistency Through 2025

Throughout 2025, Harleen Deol quietly became one of India’s most reliable performers in ODIs. She delivered crucial knocks against top teams:

England (Indore): 24 runs
Australia (Visakhapatnam): 38 runs
Pakistan (Colombo): 46 runs
Sri Lanka (Guwahati): 48 runs

She also impressed during the Women’s ODI World Cup, contributing half-centuries in warm-up matches alongside skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.

In the WPL, Deol’s numbers underline her value:
482 runs in 20 matches, strike rate 115.59, highest score 70* — all while representing Gujarat Giants in WPL 2025.

Why Harleen Deol Matters Now

Born on June 20, 1998, and representing Himachal Pradesh domestically, Deol was part of India’s 2025 Women’s Asia Cup–winning squad. Bought for ₹40 lakh in the inaugural WPL auction, she brings rare balance — aggressive batting, electric fielding, and useful bowling.

As India builds toward the 2025 ODI World Cup on home soil, Deol’s return eases pressure on stars like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur.

Her latest T20I comeback isn’t just a selection call —
it’s proof that Harleen Deol is no longer a comeback story, but a cornerstone of India’s future.