What a thrilling encounter it was between Gujarat Giants Women and Delhi Capitals Women in Vadodara during the 17th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026! The match had everything: intense drama, momentum swings, and remarkable individual performances that kept the fans on the edge of their seats until the final ball.
Gujarat Giants opted to bat first and began the innings with a mix of aggression and caution, aware of Delhi Capitals’ strong bowling lineup. Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine opened the batting, with Devine looking particularly confident early on, striking three excellent boundaries in her short stay before being dismissed at 19/1.
Mooney held her ground nicely, playing some exquisite shots through the offside while rotating the strike effectively. She was then joined by Anushka Sharma, who brought a new energy to the innings. Their partnership was crucial, pushing Gujarat past the 70-run mark before Anushka, who impressed with her aggressive style, was out for 39 off 25 balls.
As the innings progressed, Delhi Capitals clawed their way back with disciplined bowling and sharp fielding. Though Ashleigh Gardner struggled and could only contribute 2 runs, Georgia Wareham added a brief spark with 11 runs before falling as well. Mooney’s steady innings of 58 off 46 balls ended at 131/6, a moment that seemed to hand the momentum to Delhi. N See Charani’s outstanding bowling performance, claiming 4 wickets for 31 runs, really disrupted Gujarat’s rhythm.
Chinelle Henry and Nandani Sharma also played key roles in maintaining pressure. Just when Gujarat appeared to be faltering, Tanuja Kanwar arrived at the crease and provided a late surge with her quickfire 21 off 11 balls, including some lovely boundaries. Despite losing quick wickets late in the innings, lower order runs allowed Gujarat to finish strongly, setting a competitive target.
When Delhi Capitals began their chase, they initially played aggressively but faced a couple of early setbacks. Shafali Verma got off to a brisk start with 14 runs but was quickly dismissed. Lizelle Lee struggled to find her rhythm and soon fell too, leaving the team looking for stability. Laura Wolvaardt managed to steady things with a solid 24, but crucial wickets continuously fell, putting Delhi under pressure.
The pivotal moment of the match came when Niki Prasad and Sneh Rana partnered up. They turned the tide with a rapid 70-run partnership, with Prasad smashing a phenomenal 47 runs off just 24 deliveries and Rana matching her with a blistering 29 off 15 balls. Their partnership brought the game down to a handful of runs needed in the final overs, igniting hope for Delhi Capitals.
In what turned out to be a nail-biting finish, Gujarat Giants held their nerve. Sophie Devine delivered a stunning spell, taking 4 wickets for just 37 runs. Rajeshwari Gayakwad was also exceptional, taking 3 for 20, which severely dented Delhi’s chase. With crucial contributions from Ashleigh Gardner and Tanuja Kanwar in the bowling department, they kept the pressure intense. Ultimately, Delhi reached 171/8 but fell just short by three runs.
In the end, Gujarat Giants Women claimed a hard-fought victory, showcasing key partnerships and disciplined bowling under pressure. Although Delhi Capitals fought valiantly, the match slipped through their fingers in an unforgettable finish that will surely be remembered as one of the best of the season.
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