Gujarat Giants Edge Delhi Capitals by 3 Runs in WPL 2026 Thriller: Devine's 4/37 & Gayakwad's 3/20 Seal Dramatic Victory

Gujarat Giants Edge Delhi Capitals by 3 Runs in WPL 2026 Thriller: Devine's 4/37 & Gayakwad's 3/20 Seal Dramatic Victory

Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals, WPL 2026 Highlights: Sophie Devine & Rajeshwari Gayakwad Star as Giants Edge Delhi by 3 Runs in Thrilling Thriller

                    In a heart-pounding encounter at the BCA Stadium (Kotambi Stadium) in Vadodara on January 27, 2026, Gujarat Giants pulled off a dramatic three-run victory over Delhi Capitals in Match 17 of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026.

            Sophie Devine delivered a match-winning four-wicket haul (4/37), while left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad chipped in with 3/20 to derail Delhi's chase of 175. The Giants posted 174/9 after being sent in, thanks to Beth Mooney's composed 58 off 46 and Anushka Sharma's quickfire 39 off 25. Delhi fell agonizingly short at 171/8, with Niki Prasad's valiant 47 off 24 proving in vain as Devine defended nine runs in the final over, striking twice to seal the win.

This result completed a season double for Gujarat Giants over Delhi Capitals, boosting their playoff hopes in a tightly contested league. The match showcased elite bowling under pressure, tense batting collapses, and a nail-biting finish that had fans on the edge of their seats.

Tournament Context and Stakes

The WPL 2026 season has been fiercely competitive, with teams battling for playoff spots in a format featuring high-stakes league games across venues like Navi Mumbai and Vadodara. Gujarat Giants, led by captain Ashleigh Gardner, entered this clash needing points to climb the table after inconsistent results. Delhi Capitals, under Jemimah Rodrigues, sat higher with a better net run rate but faced pressure to maintain momentum after earlier wins.

The Kotambi Stadium pitch in Vadodara offered early movement for pacers and grip for spinners later, with dew potentially aiding the chasers. Gujarat opted to bat first after losing the toss, aiming to set a defendable total on a surface that could slow down.

Gujarat Giants Innings: Steady Start, Late Flourish

Delhi's bowlers, led by Sree Charani's career-best 4/31, kept the Giants in check early. Beth Mooney anchored the innings with a measured 58 off 46 balls (7 fours), providing stability amid regular wickets. Anushka Sharma injected momentum with 39 off 25, blending elegant drives and powerful hits. Tanuja Kanwar's unbeaten 21 off 11 at the death helped push the total to 174/9.

Key partnerships included Mooney's stabilizing stand and late contributions from the lower order. Delhi's attack was disciplined, with Chinelle Henry (2/38) and others restricting boundaries, but the Giants' depth ensured a competitive score.

Delhi Capitals Chase: Early Promise, Mid-Innings Collapse

Delhi's chase began brightly, with Shafali Verma smashing a boundary off the first ball and racing to 26 quickly. However, Rajeshwari Gayakwad struck in the powerplay, removing Verma and later brushing Laura Wolvaardt's off stump for 24 off 23. Lizelle Lee struggled for fluency (11 off 20), caught out, while captain Jemimah Rodrigues managed only 16 off 16 before being bowled by Devine.

Marizanne Kapp fell for a golden duck to Gardner.

From 82/1, Delhi slumped to 100/6 as Gayakwad and Devine dismantled the middle order. Chinelle Henry added just 9 off 11, leaving the lower order exposed.

Late Drama: Prasad-Rana Fightback and Devine's Heroics

With the game slipping away, Niki Prasad (47 off 24, 9 fours) and Sneh Rana (29 off ?) launched a stunning counterattack. The 17th over from Devine went for 23, reducing the equation to 37 off 18. They took 20 off Gardner and 8 off Kanwar, taking it to the final over needing 9.

Devine, who had conceded heavily earlier, held her nerve. She conceded just 5 runs in the 20th over, dismissing Rana and Prasad in quick succession—Sneh Rana caught, Niki Prasad holing out. Delhi finished at 171/8, falling short by 3 runs.

Key Performances and Analysis
Sophie Devine (Player of the Match): 4/37, including crucial death-over strikes. Her composure under pressure echoed her earlier heroics against Delhi, cementing her as a big-match player.

Rajeshwari Gayakwad: 3/20, masterfully controlling the middle overs with flight and turn.

Beth Mooney: 58 off 46, the anchor who set the platform.

Niki Prasad & Sneh Rana: Valiant but ultimately insufficient late surge.

The win highlighted Gujarat's bowling depth and mental toughness, while exposing Delhi's middle-order fragility. It kept Gujarat alive in the playoff race.

Scorecard

Gujarat Giants 174/9 (20 overs) Beth Mooney 58 (46), Anushka Sharma 39 (25), Tanuja Kanwar 21* (11) Sree Charani 4/31, Chinelle Henry 2/38

Delhi Capitals 171/8 (20 overs) Niki Prasad 47 (24), Sneh Rana 29 Sophie Devine 4/37, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 3/20, Ashleigh Gardner 1/?

Gujarat Giants won by 3 runs.

This thriller added another chapter to WPL's reputation for edge-of-the-seat contests, with Devine and Gayakwad emerging as the architects of Gujarat's vital victory.