WPL 2026: Gujarat Giants Stay Alive in Playoff Race with Narrow Victory
Sophie Devine once again proved her big-match temperament, guiding the Gujarat Giants to a dramatic three-run victory over the Delhi Capitals in the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 on Tuesday at the Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara.
Defending nine runs in the final over, Devine held her nerve under immense pressure, denying Delhi a late comeback and keeping Gujarat’s playoff hopes alive.
Devine Delivers Under Pressure
Final-Over Masterclass Seals the Match
While Devine had a quiet outing with the bat, her impact with the ball was decisive. Entrusted with the final over, she conceded just five runs, dismissed Sneh Rana, and forced a mistimed shot from Niki Prasad, ending Delhi’s chase heartbreakingly short.
This was not the first time Devine haunted Delhi. Earlier in the season, she defended seven runs in the final over in Navi Mumbai, scripting a similar finish.
Her final figures of 3 wickets for 37 runs reflected her match-winning contribution.
Delhi Capitals’ Playoff Hopes Take a Hit
Loss Pushes Capitals Out of Top Three
The defeat came as a major setback for Jemimah Rodrigues-led Delhi Capitals, who entered the match on the back of two consecutive wins. The loss pushed them out of the top three, leaving them with a must-win game against UP Warriorz to stay in playoff contention.
Despite late fireworks, Delhi fell short when it mattered most.
Giants Post Competitive Total
Mooney and Anushka Lay the Foundation
Asked to bat first, the Gujarat Giants posted 174 for 9, a total that proved just enough.
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Sophie Devine fell early for 13
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Beth Mooney anchored the innings with a calm 58 off 46 balls
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Anushka Sharma impressed with a fearless 39 off 25, smashing eight boundaries
The pair added a crucial 54-run partnership after the early wicket, stabilising Gujarat’s innings.
Shree Charani Shines with the Ball
Best Bowling Figures of Her WPL Career
Delhi’s standout performer was Shree Charani, who broke the momentum by dismissing Anushka and triggering a mini-collapse. She finished with exceptional figures of 4 for 31, her best in the WPL.
Despite wickets falling around her, Mooney stayed composed, reaching her half-century before falling late in the innings. A quick 21-run cameo from Tanuja Kanwer provided Gujarat with valuable late runs.
Delhi’s Chase Falters After Fast Start
Early Momentum Cut Short
Delhi Capitals began aggressively, racing to 26 runs in two overs through Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee. However, both openers were dismissed inside the powerplay, halting the early charge.
A brief 31-run stand between Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues restored some stability, but the innings soon unraveled.
Middle-Order Collapse Turns the Game
Devine and Gardner Strike at Crucial Moments
Delhi suffered a sharp collapse, losing four wickets for 18 runs. Devine dismissed Jemimah for 16, while Ashleigh Gardner removed Marizanne Kapp for a duck.
Chenille Henry also departed while attempting to accelerate, leaving Delhi with 70 runs needed from the final five overs.
Late Fightback Falls Short
Prasad and Rana Keep Hopes Alive
Niki Prasad and Sneh Rana launched a spirited counterattack:
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23 runs off the 17th over
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20 runs off the 19th over
With nine required from the final over, the pressure was immense. But Devine’s composure proved decisive. Rana fell after a quick 29 off 15, while Prasad’s valiant 47 runs ended with a catch in the deep.
Devine the Difference Again
Experience Triumphs Over Power
In a contest decided by the finest margins, Sophie Devine’s calmness under pressure once again separated the two sides. Gujarat Giants celebrated a crucial win, while Delhi Capitals were left ruing missed chances.