Sophie Devine delivered a sensational all-round performance as Gujarat Giants held their nerve to defeat Delhi Capitals by four runs in a pulsating Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 encounter on Sunday night.
Batting first, the Giants piled up a formidable 209, riding on a blistering knock from Devine, who smashed 95 off just 42 balls. Opening alongside Beth Mooney, Devine tore into the Delhi bowling attack, including a brutal over in which she plundered 32 runs off Sneh Rana. Captain Ashleigh Gardner then anchored the middle order with a composed 49, ensuring Gujarat crossed the 200-run mark for the second consecutive match.
Despite a stunning five-wicket haul, including a hat-trick, from Nandni Sharma in the final over, the Giants finished with a commanding total.
In reply, Delhi Capitals mounted a spirited chase but struggled to control the rising required run rate. Lizelle Lee top-scored with a fluent 86, while Laura Wolvaardt launched a late assault that brought the equation down to seven runs needed off the final over, swinging the momentum firmly in Delhi’s favour.
However, the Giants’ bowlers held their composure under pressure.
With the dew setting in and the crowd on edge, Devine once again rose to the occasion, defending the final over brilliantly to seal a dramatic victory. She finished with two crucial wickets, while Rajeshwari Gayakwad also claimed two scalps and Kashvee Gautam chipped in with one.
Speaking after the match, Player of the Match Sophie Devine admitted that even a total of 209 felt unsafe on such batting-friendly surfaces, suggesting that scores of 210–220 may soon become the norm. Gujarat skipper Ashleigh Gardner echoed the sentiment, calling the win “one stolen from Delhi” and praising her team’s belief in defending any total.
Despite the loss, Delhi captain Jemimah Rodrigues expressed pride in her team’s fightback, lauding the bowling effort of Nandni Sharma and Sree Charani, while acknowledging the need to tighten powerplay bowling plans.
The victory marked Gujarat Giants’ second consecutive win of the season, while Delhi Capitals slipped to their second straight defeat.
WPL 2026 action continues on January 12, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru set to face UP Warriorz at 7:30 pm IST.
Source: WPL
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