Gujarat Giants registered a thrilling four-run victory over Delhi Capitals in a high-scoring Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 clash at the Dr DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai on January 11.
With this win, Gujarat Giants secured their second victory of the season, while Delhi Capitals suffered their second straight defeat in the tournament.
Batting first after losing the toss, Gujarat Giants put up a massive total, thanks largely to an outstanding all-round performance from Sophie Devine.
The New Zealand star delivered one of the finest individual displays in WPL history, scoring a breathtaking 95 off just 42 balls. Her knock included seven fours and eight sixes and set the foundation for Gujarat’s big total.
Devine was in destructive form from the start and took apart the Delhi bowling attack with ease. She also created history by smashing Sneh Rana for 32 runs in an over, the most expensive over ever recorded in the WPL.
Although Devine fell just five runs short of a century, her innings had already done significant damage. Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner provided strong support with a quickfire 49 off 26 balls to push the total higher.
Despite Gujarat’s dominance with the bat, Delhi Capitals fought back brilliantly through Nandini Sharma.
The young pacer picked up a memorable hat-trick and finished with figures of 5 for 33, becoming the first uncapped bowler to take a hat-trick in WPL history. Her spell helped Delhi limit the damage and kept them in the contest.
| Team | Top Batter | Top Bowler |
|---|---|---|
| Gujarat Giants (GG) | Sophie Devine: 95 (42) | Sophie Devine: 2/21 (3) |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | Lizelle Lee: 85 (54) | Nandini Sharma: 5/33 (4) |
In reply, Delhi Capitals mounted the biggest run chase ever seen in the WPL and came agonisingly close to pulling it off. Lizelle Lee played a superb knock of 85 off 54 balls, while Laura Wolvaardt added 77 off 38 deliveries.
The pair stitched together crucial partnerships that kept Delhi in the hunt throughout the innings.
With seven runs needed off the final over, the match hung in the balance. Sophie Devine once again stepped up under pressure.
Bowling the final over herself, she held her nerve and conceded just two runs while picking up two key wickets, including those of Jemimah Rodrigues and Wolvaardt, to seal a memorable victory for Gujarat Giants.
Devine finished with figures of two wickets for 21 runs in three overs, underlining her impact with both bat and ball. Her calm execution in the final moments proved decisive in a match filled with drama and momentum shifts.
With this win, Gujarat Giants strengthened their position early in the WPL 2026 season. Delhi Capitals, despite back-to-back losses, showed plenty of positives and will look to bounce back strongly in their upcoming matches.
