Match 17 of the 2026 Women’s Premier League (WPL) between Gujarat Giants and Delhi Capitals was the definition of a heart-stopper. Gujarat managed to scrape through with a tiny 3-run win, but that doesn’t even begin to describe the drama. It was a match that Gujarat seemingly had in their pocket, then almost threw away, only for Sophie Devine to pull off a rescue act in a final over that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
Gujarat Giants got off to a bit of a shaky start after being put in to bat. Sophie Devine fell early for just 13, but the ship was steadied by a gritty, veteran knock from Beth Mooney. Mooney was the anchor Gujarat desperately needed, grinding out 58 runs off 46 balls. She found a solid partner in Anushka Sharma, who played the aggressor with a brisk 39 off 25 deliveries. Their 54-run partnership set a platform, but the middle order struggled to capitalize, sliding from a comfortable position to a precarious one as wickets tumbled.
Just when it looked like Gujarat might settle for a below-par total, Tanuja Kanwar stepped up in the final overs. Her quick-fire cameo of 21 runs from just 11 balls provided the late surge Gujarat needed to reach 174/9. On the Delhi side, N Sree Charani was the standout with the ball, tearing through the lower order to finish with impressive figures of 4/31. It felt like a competitive score, but with Delhi’s batting lineup, no one was calling it a certain win for the Giants.
Delhi’s chase started with plenty of intent, as Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee tried to set the tone early. However, the Giants’ bowlers, led by the veteran Rajeshwari Gayakwad, kept chipping away. Gayakwad was clinical, finishing with 3/20 and putting a massive dent in Delhi’s middle order. When Delhi slumped to 100/6 in the 15th over, the game looked all but over. The required rate was climbing, and Gujarat fans were starting to celebrate.
Then came the Niki Prasad and Sneh Rana show. In a stunning counterattack, the duo turned the game on its head, putting on a blistering 70-run partnership in just 31 balls. Niki Prasad was fearless, smashing 47 off 24 balls, while Sneh Rana added 29 off 15. They took a massive 23 runs off Sophie Devine’s 17th over and another 20 off Ashleigh Gardner in the 19th. Suddenly, the equation was down to just 9 runs needed off the final 6 balls.
With the game on the line, the ball went back to Sophie Devine for the final over. It was a moment of pure redemption. After being hammered earlier, Devine kept her cool under immense pressure. She dismissed both Sneh Rana and Niki Prasad in that final over, giving away only 5 runs. Delhi finished at 171/8, falling agonizingly short by 3 runs. Devine finished with figures of 4/37 and took home the Player of the Match trophy, cementing a win that moves Gujarat up to second on the table.
