The Women’s Premier League 2026 delivered another nail-biting contest. Gujarat Giants defeated Delhi Capitals by just 3 runs in a thrilling encounter at Vadodara on January 27. Sophie Devine emerged as the star of the show.
She picked up 4 wickets with the ball and chipped in with a quick 13 runs with the bat. Her efforts earned her the Player of the Match award as GG held their nerve to defend 174 runs.
For DC, Niki Prasad and Sneh Rana almost pulled off an impossible chase. The duo added 70 runs for the seventh wicket. However, their valiant effort fell short by just 3 runs. Shree Charani’s 4 wickets for DC couldn’t stop GG from posting a competitive total.
Match Summary: GG vs DC
Here is the complete match summary of this thrilling last-over drama:
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Gujarat Giants Women Score | 174/9 (20 overs) |
| Delhi Capitals Women Score | 171/8 (20 overs) |
| Match Result | GG Women won by 3 runs |
| Best Batting (GG) | Beth Mooney – 58 off 46 balls (7 fours) |
| Best Batting (DC) | Niki Prasad – 47 off 24 balls (9 fours) |
| Best Bowling (GG) | Sophie Devine – 4/37 in 4 overs (Econ: 9.25) |
| Best Bowling (DC) | Shree Charani – 4/31 in 4 overs (Econ: 7.75) |
| Player of the Match | Sophie Devine (GG) |
DC captain Jemimah Rodrigues won the toss and put GG in to bat first. The decision looked good early on as Shree Charani picked up wickets at regular intervals. However, Beth Mooney’s solid knock helped GG post a challenging total of 174 runs.
Gujarat Giants Innings: 174/9 in 20 Overs
GG got off to a flying start in the powerplay. They scored 53 runs in the first 6 overs, losing just one wicket. Sophie Devine fell early for 13 off 10 balls, but not before hitting 3 sixes. Marizanne Kapp dismissed her in the second over.
Beth Mooney anchored the innings with a composed 58 off 46 balls. She hit 7 fours and played the sheet anchor role perfectly. Anushka Sharma provided excellent support with 39 off 25 balls, smashing 8 fours. The duo put together a crucial 54-run partnership for the second wicket.
Then came the collapse. GG lost wickets in clusters after reaching 73 for 2 in 8.5 overs. Captain Ashleigh Gardner fell cheaply for just 2 runs. Georgia Wareham contributed 11 off 7 balls with one six. Shree Charani was the chief destroyer for DC. She picked up 4 wickets for 31 runs and broke the backbone of GG’s batting.
The lower order struggled to accelerate. Bharti Fulmali (3), Kanika Ahuja (4), and Kashvee Gautam (2) all fell cheaply. Tanuja Kanwar’s quick 21 off 11 balls, including 3 fours and a six, pushed the total past 170. GG finished on 174/9, with 18 extras adding to their total.
Delhi Capitals Chase: 171/8 in 20 Overs
DC needed 175 runs to win. Their chase started on a shaky note. Shafali Verma played an aggressive cameo of 14 off 10 balls with 3 fours. However, she fell to Ashleigh Gardner in just the second over. Lizelle Lee struggled at the other end, scoring just 11 off 20 balls before Sophie Devine got her out.
Laura Wolvaardt tried to steady the ship with 24 off 23 balls. But she too fell victim to Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Captain Jemimah Rodrigues couldn’t convert her start either, managing just 16 off 16 balls before Devine dismissed her. DC was 82 for 3 after 10 overs, needing 93 runs from 60 balls.
The situation worsened quickly. Marizanne Kapp fell for a duck, bowled by Gardner. Chinelle Henry scored just 9 runs before getting out to Gardner and Gayakwad. DC slumped to 100 for 6 in 14.3 overs, with the required run rate climbing over 11 runs per over.
Then came the rescue act. Niki Prasad and Sneh Rana produced a stunning fightback. The seventh-wicket pair added 70 runs in just 22 balls. Prasad smashed 47 off 24 balls with 9 fours, striking at nearly 196. Rana matched her aggression with 29 off 15 balls, hitting 3 fours and 2 sixes.
The equation came down to 5 runs needed off the last over. But Sophie Devine held her nerve. She got Rana out on the fourth ball with DC needing 4 off 2 balls. Prasad fell on the next delivery, and suddenly, DC needed 4 runs off the final ball. Minnu Mani couldn’t connect, and GG clinched victory by 3 runs.
Key Highlight: Player of the Match – Sophie Devine’s Match-Winning Effort
The New Zealand captain delivered when it mattered most:
- With the ball: 4/37 in 4 overs
- With the bat: 13 off 10 balls (3 sixes)
- Key wickets: Lizelle Lee, Jemimah Rodrigues, Sneh Rana, Niki Prasad
Devine’s 4 wickets came at crucial moments. She removed the dangerous Lizelle Lee and captain Rodrigues to halt DC’s momentum. In the final over, when DC seemed destined to win, she kept her cool. She dismissed both set batters, Rana and Prasad, in consecutive balls to seal the win. Her all-round performance of 13 runs and 4 wickets made her the obvious choice for Player of the Match.
Conclusion: What This Result Means
GG picked up 2 crucial points with this win in the tight WPL 2026 points table. This victory shows their ability to defend totals under pressure. Beth Mooney’s consistent batting and Sophie Devine’s match-winning skills give them a balanced lineup.
DC will feel gutted after coming so close. Niki Prasad and Sneh Rana’s partnership showed their fighting spirit, but they’ll rue the early wickets. Shree Charani’s 4 wickets was a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing bowling performance.
This match had everything: big hits, crucial wickets, and a finish that went down to the final ball. It’s exactly the kind of game that makes WPL such an exciting league to follow.
