Vadodara:Gujarat Giants will lock horns with Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the Vadodara International Cricket Stadium (BCA Stadium) on Tuesday, with the winner earning a place in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The league stage concluded in dramatic fashion, with the battle for the final playoff berth going down to the last match of the season. Royal Challengers Bengaluru finished atop the table to seal direct qualification to the final, leaving Gujarat and Delhi to fight it out in a high-stakes, do-or-die clash at the BCA Stadium here.
Gujarat Giants enter the Eliminator after their most successful league campaign in WPL history, finishing second for the first time. Under the leadership of Ashleigh Gardner, the Giants have built their season on authoritative batting while setting targets and disciplined bowling when defending totals.
Delhi Capitals, captained by Jemimah Rodrigues, remain one of the most consistent teams in WPL history, having reached the final in each of the previous three editions. Despite an uneven league phase, the Capitals found momentum late in the tournament to secure a playoff spot and will once again rely on their experienced top order and pace attack to deliver under pressure.
Fourth Time Lucky for Delhi?
Delhi’s campaign has been a story of recovery. A shaky start — three losses in their first four matches — left them on the back foot, but a late surge of three wins from their final four games revived their season.
Their identity is clear: Delhi are at their best while chasing. All four of their victories this season have come while pursuing targets, driven by a formidable top order. Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee have provided explosive starts, while Laura Wolvaardt, the team’s leading run-scorer, has anchored the middle overs. All three have crossed the 200-run mark, with skipper Rodrigues rediscovering form at a crucial juncture.
With the ball, the emergence of young Indian pacers Nandini Sharma and Sree Charani has transformed Delhi’s attack. Level on 14 wickets apiece, the duo have erased early-season concerns. Marizanne Kapp, though subdued with the bat, remains a major threat with the new ball and boasts the second-best economy rate of the season at 5.81.
Gujarat Giants Eye a Historic Leap
For Gujarat Giants, the 2026 season represents a remarkable turnaround. After finishing bottom in the first two editions and bowing out at this stage last year, they now sit second on the table — their best-ever league finish.
Their formula has been clear and ruthless: bat first and defend. Gujarat have won all five matches when setting a target and are the only side this season to breach the 200-run mark — doing so twice.
Sophie Devine has been the season’s defining figure for Gujarat. With 17 wickets, she leads the bowling charts and is also the team’s second-highest run-scorer behind Gardner. Her all-round impact has repeatedly given the Giants control in key moments.
The batting boasts depth and balance, with Anushka Sharma emerging as a crucial find at No. 3, while Georgia Wareham has compensated for her bowling struggles with valuable lower-order runs. In the bowling department, Devine is well supported by Rajeshwari Gayakwad, whose middle-over control has stifled opposition scoring. Along with Gardner’s guile and a returning Wareham, Gujarat possess a potent spin trio capable of dictating terms.
The two teams have already met twice in the league stage this season, with Gujarat Giants emerging victorious on both occasions. However, with a place in the final at stake, Delhi will be eager to overturn recent results and extend their remarkable run of final appearances.
The winner of the Eliminator will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL 2026 final, setting the stage for a potentially blockbuster finish to the season.
Source: WPL
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