WPL 2023: Gujarat Giants release statement on Deandra Dottin’s injury

Deandra Dottin. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

Just hours before the opening game of the maiden Women’s Premier League (WPL) season, a major controversy happened in the tournament. Gujarat Giants announced Australia all-rounder Kim Garth as Deandra Dottin’s replacement in the team due to an injury. However, the West Indies refused to accept that she has an injury and revealed on a social media site that she is fit and healthy.

Replying to a ‘Get Well Soon’ message on her Twitter account, Dottin agonizingly wrote, “Get Well Soon from what may I ask. She also displayed her frustration adding “I really appreciate all the messages but truth be told I’m recovering from nothing but the Holy Ghost anointing thank you.”

After this tweet by the star West Indies player, Gujarat Giants had to come up with clarity on the matter. From their Twitter handle, Giants released their statement on Sunday on Dottin’s exclusion from the squad.

In their statement, the Giants wrote they couldn’t get a medical clearance for Dottin, which is mandatory for participation in WPL. In their statement, GG also added that she will be a part of the squad in future editions of the tournament once she gets medical clearance to play in the league.

“Deandra is a world-class player and a wonderful signing for the franchise. Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain a medical clearance before the defined deadline for this season, such clearances are a requirement of all players participating in the WPL. We look forward to seeing her return to the field soon. Subject to the clearance of her medical report, she will be part of the Gujarat Giants squad in the upcoming seasons,” the Giants said in their release.

Earlier, in the WPL Player Auction held on February 13, 2023, the franchise splurged INR 60 lakh to sign the veteran to reserve her services for the season.

Gujarat Giants suffer an embarrassing defeat in the opening game of the WPL

In the inaugural WPL season, the Giants kicked off their journey with an embarrassing defeat of 143 runs at the hands of Mumbai Indians (MI). In the opener, after having elected to bat first, the Mumbai Indians women’s captain, Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front with her blitzkrieg with her maiden and the first fifty of the WPL.

Moreover, with the help of a powerful bowling show from Saika Ishaque, MI trounced the Giants comfortably. In the next game, GG will look to make a comeback with a triumph against UP Warriorz.

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