In a dramatic and massive turn of events- just moments before the toss of the all-important Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2025 Eliminator clash between Gujarat Giants and inaugural champions Mumbai Indians, the Giants were dealt with a heavy blow as star all-rounder Deandra Dottin got ruled out of the game on account of injury. The explosive West Indian, apparently, picked up a niggle during the warm-ups leading to the game, forcing the Giants into a last-minute change.
England all-rounder Danielle Gibson made her WPL debut, but losing a player of Dottin’s caliber at such a crucial juncture significantly impacted the team’s chances in this high-stakes encounter.
During the coin toss, Gujarat Giants’ skipper Ashleigh Gardner made an official announcement that Dottin injured herself just 5 minutes before the toss, and the captain named it as an unfortunate incident in a blockbuster game.
Including Danielle Gibson as a like-for-like substitute, the skipper seemed to have instilled faith in the newcomer and called it as a golden opportunity for the young player to excel in her very first outing.
Danielle Gibson made her international debut for England on July 1, 2023, against Australia in Birmingham and has since been a positive addition to the team. In 18 bowling matches, the all-rounder has taken 10 wickets at an average of 33.90 and an economy of 7.36. While she is yet to deliver a match-winning spell, her best bowling figures of 2/22 highlight her ability to make key breakthroughs. With the bat, the 23-year-old has scored 147 runs in 15 innings, including a career-best 41*, at a solid strike rate of 124.57.
She has been a crucial performer for London Spirit in The Hundred, making an impact with both bat and ball. As a bowler, she has claimed 20 wickets in 28 innings at an economy of 8.42 and a strike rate of 20.2, proving to be a consistent wicket-taking asset. However, it is her batting that stands out, particularly in the finisher’s role. Amassing 411 runs from 27 innings at a blistering strike rate of 147.31, she has remained unbeaten five times, showcasing her ability to close out games effectively.
Rewinding the clock back to the 2010 World T20 match against South Africa, Deandra Dottin grabbed the headlines by notching up the first-ever century in the history of women’s T20 internationals. Her awe-inspiring knock came off just 38 deliveries, making it one of the most powerful innings in the shortest format till date. Compiled with nine maximums and five boundaries, her innings was full of explosions. explosive. Reflecting on her approach after the match, Dottin simply stated, “I just went after everything.”
With the bat in season three of the league, her maiden WPL stint, she has scored 142 runs from 8 games at an incredible strike rate of 154.34, providing the late flourishing touches of firepower in the death overs.
With her medium pace right-arm bowling, she has been on the money, scalping 9 wickets from 8 innings at a decent economy of 8.42. Her vast T20 experience—138 matches, 3004 runs (including two centuries), and 71 wickets at a remarkable economy of 6.46—makes her an irreplaceable asset.
Losing a player of her caliber at the last minute disrupted the Giants’ balance, as Mumbai Indians crossed the 200-run mark in the knockout game.
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