WPL 2024: Harleen Deol Ruled Out with Knee Injury, Gujarat Giants Name Replacement

Gujarat Giants (GG) on Thursday dealt with a major blow as batter Harleen Deol was ruled out of the ongoing Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2024 with an injury. The franchise has roped in Vidarbha’s Bharti Fulmali as Deol’s replacement for the rest of the season.

Deol had injured her knee while fielding in GG’s third group-stage game, against UP Warriroz, in Bengaluru. She limped off the field and didn’t retunr in action since. On Thursday, the Giants released an official statement to confirm Deol’s exit from the season.

“It is with regret that we inform you, Gujarat Giants’ Indian cricketer Harleen Deol has been ruled out of the remainder of the WPL season due to an injury she picked up recently. The Giants family extends their heartfelt wishes to Harleen and wishes her a speedy recovery. We wish to see her back in action sooner than later.

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“In the interim, 29-year-old Bharti Fulmali will replace Harleen in the Giants’ squad. The team will play the Mumbai Indians next on 9 March in New Delhi at the Arun Jaitley Stadium,” the statement read.

Deol’s absence adds to GG’s woes as the franchise has already lost uncapped fast bowler Kashvee Gautam before the commencement of the season while Aussie cricketer Lauren Cheatle had earlier withdrawn as she underwent a medical procedure.

The 25-year-old had a rough start to the season, mustering scores of 8, 22 and 18 in three innings. Her replacement, Fulmali has played two T20Is for India and was also part of the Trailblazers squad in the Women’s T20 Challenge.

GG at the bottom of the table

After suffering 4 losses on the trot, the Giants are tottering at the bottom of the points table with just 2 points. They registered their first win against RCB in what was the last fixture of the Bengaluru leg. They will now face defending champions Mumbai Indians on Saturday in Delhi.