Sophie Devine delivered a match-winning all-round performance as Gujarat Giants edged past Delhi Capitals by four runs in a high-scoring thriller during the fourth league match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026.
A maiden hat-trick followed by a five-wicket haul by Delhi pacer Nandini Sharma could not stop Gujarat from writing their second consecutive victory of the season, and Delhi Capitals lost their second game in as many games.
Gujarat Giants reached 209 and bowled out Delhi, only a few short of the target in the tense climax that was won on the final ball.
Match Overview: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals, WPL 2026
- Venue: Navi Mumbai
- Result: Gujarat Giants won by four runs
- Gujarat Giants: 209 all out
- Delhi Capitals: 205/8
- Player of the Match: Sophie Devine
It included an aggressive back and forth with batting, a hat-trick in the WPL 2026, and a closeover, which kept the audience watching until the final ball was thrown.
Key Performers at a Glance
- Sophie Devine (Gujarat Giants): 95 (42 balls), 2 wickets
- Nandini Sharma (Delhi Capitals): 5/33, maiden WPL hat-trick
- Lizelle Lee (Delhi Capitals): 86 (54 balls)
- Laura Wolvaardt (Delhi Capitals): 77 (38 balls)
- Ashleigh Gardner (Gujarat Giants): 49 (26 balls)
Gujarat Giants’ Batting: Devine Sets the Tone
Gujarat Giants were asked to bat first, made full use of the flat surface, and the outfield is quick. Opening with imperiousness and impactful strikes and control was opener Sophie Devine in form, and she did not fail to showcase her accurate hitting and command over the ball and pace.
Devine hit 95 runs off 42 balls, including seven fours and eight sixes in one of the finest innings in WPL 2026 to date. The power play was in her hands as Gujarat was coming out ahead.
Beth Mooney was on the other end, having a supporting role with 19 runs as the duo joined together in a 94-run opening. While Mooney’s innings was brief, it allowed Devine the freedom to attack relentlessly.
Middle Overs Momentum: Gardner’s Impactful Knock
After the dismissal of Mooney, the attack was carried on by Gujarat captain Ashleigh Gardner. Gardner bashed a healthy 49 off of 26 balls with a scoring rate hovering at more than 10 runs per over. Her innings ensured Gujarat did not lose momentum after the power play and pushed Delhi’s bowlers onto the defensive.
Gujarat were at 170 or more with several overs to play, but the situation changed suddenly in the death overs.
Nandini Sharma’s Hat-Trick Turns the Game
Delhi Capitals entered the competition again with an outstanding bowling session of Nandini Sharma, the player who gave one of the standout individual performances of WPL 2026.
Nandini completed with a total of 5 for 33, which included a maiden WPL hat-trick. Her hat-trick destroyed the lower middle order of Gujarat and caused a collapse in which wickets fell in a row by the Giants.
Gujarat, having a superior hand, finally bowled out to make 209, a figure that nonetheless looked competitive but which still gave Delhi a chase.
Despite the result going against her team, Nandini was making a great milestone and one of the most impactful bowling performances of the season.
Gujarat Giants’ Bowling Performance: Mixed but Effective
Although bowlers in Gujarat allowed the said team to score in the middle overs, they were able to take wickets at the right time. Kashvee Gautam and Rajeshwari Gayakwad made breakthroughs, and in the end, Devine had a decisive spell.
The bowling performance of the Giants was not flawless; however, their calmness under pressure was the variable in this Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals match.
Key Breakthroughs Shift Momentum Back to Gujarat
In the 15th over, Kashvee Gautam sent back Lizelle Lee, and this marked the turning point of the chase. The wicket also decelerated the pace of Delhi and left the middle order vulnerable.
Very shortly, left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad removed Henry for 7, with the Delhi Capitals at 146 for three. Although the equation was still in the game, it started becoming tight because the required run rate was increasing.
Gujarat’s bowlers began performing their length more accurately at this stage.
SUGGESTED READ: 2026: RCB Women Beat Mumbai Indians Women by 3 Wickets
Delhi Capitals’ Chase: Strong Opening Foundation
Delhi Capitals came out on a positive note as they were aware that a target of 210 needed a good start to their chase. The opener, Lizelle Lee, led the innings like a dominating force with a well-developed experience and strength.
Lee made 86 off 54, hitting 12 fours and three sixes. She added 41 runs with Shafali Verma and then formed a great partnership with Laura Wolvaardt.
Wolvaardt played a significant role and made 77 off 38 balls she faced, rotating effectively with the strike as well as probing boundaries at important channels. Lee and Wolvaardt contributed and scored 90 runs on 55 balls with each other, holding Delhi close in the middle overs.
Final Overs Drama: Match Goes Down to the Wire
As Delhi had 64 runs to go with the remaining 25 balls, their captain Jemimah Rodrigues came in to join Wolvaardt at the crease. The two were aggressive in their retaliation and in total hit 58 runs, off 23 balls, and shifted the balance back towards Delhi.
With Wolvaardt hitting clean and Rodrigues taking the timely boundaries, the equation was narrowed to seven runs off the last five balls, creating a tense end.
The game came to the point where Sophie Devine could bowl the final over and emphasise the point of her significance not only as a batter but also as a pressure bowler.
Sophie Devine’s Final Over Seals the Win
Devine gave a cool-headed final over when there was pressure. She dismissed two Delhi batters in the course of her spell and limited the chances of scoring by a strict line and length.
Delhi Capitals managed only two runs from the final deliveries, falling four runs short of the target. The fact that Devine was able to seal the game at the point of need highlighted her total value and leadership skills.
Devine completed the match having 95 runs and two wickets, and played a direct part in the two innings to see the Gujarat Giants win the match.
SUGGESTED READ: Full List of Players Retained Ahead of WPL 2026 Mega Auction
Delhi Capitals: Encouraging Signs Despite Loss
Although they lost two consecutive games in WPL 2026, Delhi Capitals demonstrated their perseverance and resilience. Lee, Wolvaardt, with their batting performance and Nandini Sharma and her bowling were positives that the team could use in the future.
Delhi will, however, look back at missed chances in the final over and how it could not capitalise on the chance of taking the game back in the death overs.
What does the Result mean for the WPL 2026 Standings?
This win marked Gujarat Giants’ second consecutive victory in WPL 2026, which gives them an extra push and confidence in the season. In both matches, the Giants have displayed great batting depth and individual performance that have won matches.
For the Delhi Capitals, the loss highlighted areas requiring improvement, specifically in death-over execution in both the bat and ball. The league is still in the early stages, and that is why Delhi still has time to reevaluate and be on the right track.
Stay tuned to JeetWin Sports for the latest news and updates
