In a game that redefined the term “nail-biter,” the Gujarat Giants pulled off a stunning 4-run victory over the Delhi Capitals in Match 4 of the WPL 2026. It was a high-scoring marathon at the DY Patil Stadium that saw both teams cross the 200-run mark. Sophie Devine was the undisputed star of the night, first lighting up the stadium with a monstrous 95-run knock and then returning to defend a mere 7 runs in a heart-stopping final over. While Delhi’s Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt played innings of a lifetime, they fell just inches short of what would have been a record-breaking chase.
The Giants were put in to bat first, and Sophie Devine looked like a woman on a mission from the very first ball. She absolutely dismantled the Delhi bowling attack, particularly targeting Sneh Rana in a single over where she plundered 32 runs (including four sixes and two fours). Devine raced to her fifty in just 25 balls and eventually finished with a staggering 95 off 42 deliveries, featuring eight massive sixes. She was well-supported by captain Ashleigh Gardner, who played a quickfire cameo of 49 off 26 balls, propelling Gujarat to a massive total of 209/10.
However, the first innings ended with an incredible twist thanks to Delhi’s young pacer, Nandni Sharma. Just as the Giants were eyeing a score well beyond 220, Nandni turned the game on its head by picking up a hat-trick in the final over. She dismissed Kashvee Gautam, Kanika Ahuja, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad in successive deliveries to finish with phenomenal figures of 5 for 33. Her heroics ensured Gujarat were bowled out on the final ball, giving Delhi a glimmer of hope heading into the break.
The chase began with Lizelle Lee finding her groove instantly. She anchored the innings with a powerful 86 off 54 balls, keeping the required rate within reach. After Lee’s dismissal, it looked like the game was slipping away from Delhi, but Laura Wolvaardt had other ideas. Wolvaardt played a breathtaking knock, smashing 77 off only 38 balls. She took a particular liking to the pace of Kashvee Gautam, and her late-inning surge brought the equation down to just 7 runs needed off the final 6 balls.
A nail-biter here at the DY Patil Stadium and GG held the nerves. 🧡#CricketTwitter #WPL2026 #DCvGG pic.twitter.com/FaJt3tScuN
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) January 11, 2026
With the stadium buzzing and the Capitals seemingly in the driver’s seat, Ashleigh Gardner threw the ball to Sophie Devine for the final over. In a masterclass of death bowling, Devine kept her cool under immense pressure. She conceded only two runs and picked up the crucial wickets of Jemimah Rodrigues and the well-set Laura Wolvaardt. Delhi finished at 205/5, falling just four runs short. It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Capitals, who have now lost two in a row, while the Giants move to the top of the table with two straight wins.
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