Harleen Deol’s international career began in 2019, but she experienced inconsistency in white-ball cricket despite her all-round capabilities. Although recognized for her skills, particularly her batting, it took time for Harleen to solidify her game. This resulted in periods of being in and out of the national team. However, the 2024-25 season has emerged as a significant breakthrough for the all-rounder, marked by her scoring her first international century.
This newfound confidence has translated into her T20 game, prominently displayed during her match-winning innings of 70 not out against Delhi Capitals in Lucknow. In a game held in Lucknow, she anchored one end while chasing a challenging target of 178 against Delhi Capitals’ strong bowling attack, ultimately leading Gujarat Giants to victory with three balls remaining.
Head coach Michael Klinger commended her efforts, specifically praising Deol’s maturity and her ability to adapt as a batter. Klinger stated at the post-match press conference, “It was an extremely mature knock, that one.”
Klinger further elaborated, highlighting her partnerships with several players and praising her consistent performance throughout the tournament. “Batting with a few of our players and establishing partnerships, initially with Beth Mooney, followed by Ash Gardner, Dottin, and then Kashvee towards the end. Harleen’s performance today was exceptional, and in fact, she has been outstanding throughout the entire tournament. We’ve asked her to take on different roles within the team. She has played in the middle order, and in the recent games, she has batted at number three. She has shown great flexibility and willingness to contribute to the team’s needs. I am incredibly proud of her progress and contribution.”
While Deol’s breakthrough season with the national team positioned her as a top-order player, she commenced the 2025 WPL season as a finisher in the initial matches. However, due to unfavorable results, Gujarat Giants had to adjust their batting lineup, which led to Deol’s return to the top order. She seized this opportunity effectively. GG is currently enjoying a three-match winning streak, and Deol has been instrumental in two of these victories.
Klinger added, “I believe she was in a very positive frame of mind. To be honest, I think initially she was disappointed when she wasn’t positioned in the top three at the start of the tournament and was batting at five or six. But to her credit, she fully embraced the role, and this experience has provided her with the valuable ability to adapt to different roles.”
“For Indian coaches or selectors, it’s now evident that Harleen is capable of performing effectively both in the middle order and at the top. This versatility makes her a highly desirable player for the T20 squad, knowing she can fulfill various roles. I am genuinely pleased for her because she has embraced both roles and excelled in both.”
Besides Deol’s resurgence, another significant factor in Gujarat’s improved performance this season is the balanced composition of their team. In previous seasons, they heavily relied on overseas players and batting strength, often undermined by bowling weaknesses. This season has seen a shift with domestic Indian bowlers making substantial contributions. This has allowed players like Ash Gardner and Deandra Dottin to play with greater freedom and expressiveness.
“Strategically speaking, the addition of eight quality overs from Kashvee and Priya has been invaluable. They were not part of the team last year; Kashvee was injured, and Priya, although in the squad, wasn’t consistently selected. Priya has been fantastic, showing improvement across all aspects of her game – bowling and fielding. Securing these additional eight overs has been a significant advantage for us.”
Klinger also noted that the current GG squad exhibits a stronger temperament compared to previous seasons. Explaining this, the Australian coach provided a solid rationale for this notable improvement.
“What has made me proud over the past year is that six of our players represented India A when they competed against Australia A, and five players received their first call-up to represent India. I believe this experience and exposure to high-level cricket have greatly benefited them leading into this tournament. They are now facing high-caliber Indian and international players.”
“The exposure gained from the last WPL to this WPL has significantly boosted their confidence to compete against any opponent, regardless of reputation. They are no longer intimidated by the names of the players they are up against; instead, they are focused on playing the ball and reacting accordingly.”
