Gujarat Giants edge Delhi Capitals in a final-over classic by 3 runs
GGW vs DCW: In a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last delivery, the Gujarat Giants secured a massive victory over the Delhi Capitals in Match 17 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026. Held at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, the encounter was a classic ‘tale of two halves’ that ultimately saw the Giants defend a competitive total by the narrowest of margins by 3 runs.
Mooney sets the stage
After being put in to bat by Delhi Capitals’ skipper Jemimah Rodrigues, the Gujarat Giants posted 174/9 in their 20 overs. Captain Beth Mooney led from the front with a composed 56 off 47 balls, anchoring the innings as wickets fell around her. Mooney found a reliable partner in Anushka Sharma (39 off 25), with the duo putting on 54 runs for the second wicket.
Despite a strong start, the Giants suffered a middle-order wobble. Shree Charani was the star for Delhi, ripping through the lineup with an impressive 4-wicket haul. Late cameos from Tanuja Kanwar (21) helped push the score to a defendable target.
A rollercoaster finish
The Delhi Capitals’ response was a seesaw battle. Chasing 175, they looked down and out at 138/6 after 17 overs, requiring a daunting 37 runs from the final 18 balls.
Niki Prasad (44)* and Sneh Rana (29) turned the game on its head. In the 18th over, they took Ashleigh Gardner for 20 runs, bringing the equation down to a manageable 9 runs off the final over. With the game seemingly slipping away, Sophie Devine took the ball for the final over. In a repeat of their previous encounter, Devine held her nerve, delivering pinpoint yorkers and variations to stifle the batters.
“It was a sense of deja vu. I knew if I hit my spots, we had a chance. The girls never stopped believing,” said Sophie Devine after the match.
What this means for the table
With this win, the Gujarat Giants have firmly planted themselves back in the playoff race. Both teams now sit on 6 points from 7 matches, making the final week of the league stage a “must-win” scenario for everyone involved.
The WPL 2026 continues to deliver high-octane drama, and if this match was anything to go by, the road to the finals is going to be a wild ride.