Deandra Dottin is "deeply disappointed" by the "bewildering reasoning" given by Gujarat Giants to explain her omission from the squad for the inaugural WPL.
Giants had stated prior to the season that Dottin was "recovering from a medical situation", and subsequently announced Kim Garth as her replacement. At the time, Dottin has tweeted that she was "recovering from nothing." At a media interaction after Dottin's response, Giants issued a clarification that they had to seek a replacement because they were unable to obtain a medical clearance in time for Dottin.
On Sunday, Dottin put out a detailed statement on Twitter, saying, "I remain deeply disappointed by what can only, plausibly, be described as bewildering reasoning for my omission from the tournament.
In light of ongoing speculation surrounding my exclusion from this year's Women's Premier League (WPL), please find attached, a brief statement from me that addresses and clarifies the events that led to my omission from the inaugural WPL tournament earlier this month. pic.twitter.com/SmiSnkMlrZ
— Deandra Dottin (@Dottin_5) March 19, 2023
"At the commencement of the tournament, the franchise claimed that I was excluded from the team because I was apparently 'recovering from a medical situation'. This was followed by a subsequent, clarifying statement that contended that I was, in fact 'unable to obtain medical clearance' despite being granted as recently as February 20th."
Dottin went on to say that she had sought treatment after experiencing minor abdominal pain in December last year. She then met two specialists in December and January for second opinions, and was advised rest till February 13. She said she had been cleared to resume training from February 14.
"Consequently, I recommenced my personal training and fitness regime according to the guided timelines and experienced some soreness on the first day of resumed training which was anticipated and reasonable, given that I had been asked to rest in the weeks preceding training.
"I was transparent about this in correspondence with the Gujarat Giants physiotherapist, however, this was misconstrued and later conveyed to members of the franchise's management team as me 'experiencing abdominal pain post-session' which was not what I had indicated."
Dottin said that Giants insisted that she got herself assessed locally even though she was given medical clearance by her treating surgeon on February 20.
"To my shock, I was then forwarded email correspondence from the Giants' physiotherapist, that included the following demand - 'Deandra Dottin is strictly advised to submit her fitness report along with the recent scan by 26/02/2023. She will be deemed unfit for T20 matches in the WPL if she doesn't comply.' This request was sent on Saturday 25th February with the deadline provided being the following day - Sunday - making it near impossible to administer all stipulated medical tests, particularly over a weekend."
She said that on the next day - February 26 - she was told by a senior manager at Adani Sportsline, who own Giants, via email that she had "a solid role to play" at the WPL but had to produce a new CT scan and report by March 1.
"Whilst I was trying my utmost to arrange an expedited CT scan in accordance with the various deadlines I was being served, I received yet another email the following day (Monday, 27th February), this time from the Head of Adani Sportsline, stating that they were unable to find me a timely appointment at a private hospital from their end and that they would, thus, formally be seeking to replace me in the League."
When reached out to for a comment, a Giants spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo that the franchise had nothing to add to their last statement.