The 17th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) between Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals turned into a gripping thriller, defined by extraordinary counterattack and a nerve shredding finish that kept everyone guessing until the final ball. Gujarat Giants posted a competitive total of 174 for 9, built around solid contributions from the top-order and a late cameo, and for most of the chase, it looked like the target might be just beyond Delhi’s reach.
Delhi Capitals’ pursuit never truly settled. Early wickets meant the chase was constantly stuttering, and at 85 for 5, the equation was steep and the momentum firmly with Gujarat. The Giants’ bowlers had applied pressure through tight lines and timely breakthroughs, forcing Delhi into a corner. With required run rate climbing and wickets falling, the match seemed to be slipping away from the Capitals.
That was when Niki Prasad walked into the spotlight and completely altered the script. Calm at first, she quickly assessed the situation and chose aggression as her best form of survival. Her innings of 47 off just 24 balls was a blend of courage, clean striking, and remarkable clarity under pressure. She was at the crease when Delhi needed 60 runs from 25 balls, a situation that demanded something special. Prasad didn’t just respond, she seized control.
The 17th over proved to be the turning point of the match and the defining phase of Prasad’s knock. Facing relentless pressure, she unleashed a stunning performance, hammering four consecutive boundaries. Each shot not only reduced the required runs but also sent a clear message that Delhi were not done yet. In the same over, Sneha Rana joined and on the last ball hit a massive six, swinging the momentum dramatically in Delhi’s favour.
The following over only heightened the drama. Gujarat’s bowlers tried to regain composure, but the damage had already been done. Prasad and Rana ran between the wickets, punished anything loose, and kept the scoreboard ticking. Their seventh wicket partnership of 70 runs off just 31 balls transformed a near lost cause into a genuine winning chance. Suddenly, Delhi’s dressing room buzzed with belief, and the match had swung completely.
However, cricket has a way of delivering cruel twists. Just when Delhi looked poised to pull off a remarkable chase, Gujarat Giants struck back. Sophie Devine defended 9 off the final over, the dismissals of Sneh Rana and Niki Prasad denied Delhi the win by 3 runs. The final overs were packed with tension, misfields, sharp stops, and desperate swings. Gujarat held their nerve brilliantly, executing their plans in the dying moments. Despite Delhi coming agonisingly close, the Giants defended their total successfully, sealing the match by just three runs in a heart stopping finish.
While Gujarat Giants celebrated a crucial win, the night truly belonged to Niki Prasad. Her fearless knock and the two explosive overs she helped create will be remembered as one of the most dramatic momentum shifts of the season, a reminder of how quickly T20 cricket can turn on its head.
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