Gujarat Giants Clinch Nail-Biting Victory Over Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026
In a heart-stopping Women's Premier League encounter, the Gujarat Giants held their nerve to secure a dramatic three-run victory against the Delhi Capitals at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara on Tuesday. The match, which kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final delivery, showcased exceptional cricketing drama and individual brilliance.
Mooney's Masterclass Anchors Gujarat Innings
Australian wicketkeeper-batter Beth Mooney finally delivered the defining performance of her WPL 2026 season, crafting a magnificent 58 runs from just 46 balls. Her innings, decorated with seven elegant boundaries, provided the crucial backbone for the Gujarat Giants' total of 174/9. Mooney demonstrated remarkable composure, particularly during the middle overs where she focused on strike rotation and building partnerships.
Mooney's strategic approach paid dividends as she added 54 crucial runs for the second wicket with Anushka Sharma and another 32 for the fourth wicket with Georgia Wareham. Her acceleration came at the perfect moment during the 11th over when she unleashed three consecutive boundaries against Marizanne Kapp, shifting the momentum firmly in Gujarat's favor.
Delhi's Dramatic Chase Falls Just Short
The Delhi Capitals' pursuit began disastrously as their formidable top order collapsed early. Lizelle Lee, Shafali Verma, and Jemimah Rodrigues all departed cheaply, leaving the team in serious trouble. However, the match transformed into an extraordinary spectacle when young Niki Prasad entered the fray at number 7 with a daunting 90 runs required from just 45 deliveries.
Prasad, one of Delhi's pre-auction retentions, played an absolutely fearless innings of 47 runs from only 24 balls. Her explosive batting, combined with Sneh Rana's steady support, created a breathtaking 70-run partnership in just 31 deliveries. The duo brought Delhi tantalizingly close to what seemed an improbable victory, electrifying the Vadodara stadium with their aggressive strokeplay.
The Tense Final Over Decider
With the match hanging in the balance, the game took another dramatic turn when a DRS review broke Delhi's momentum at a critical juncture. The tension reached its peak during the final over, with Delhi needing just nine runs from six balls to secure victory.
Sophie Divine displayed exceptional composure under pressure, bowling the decisive final over that ultimately sealed Gujarat's triumph. Divine managed to dismiss Sneh Rana caught in the deep, and despite Niki Prasad's heroic efforts, she fell on what would have been the match-winning shot, caught at long-on with just four runs needed off the final delivery.
The Gujarat Giants' bowling attack, led by Divine's impressive 4/37, managed to restrict Delhi to 171/8 in their 20 overs, securing a memorable victory by the narrowest of margins. This thrilling encounter will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the most exciting matches in WPL 2026, showcasing the incredible talent and competitive spirit of women's cricket in India.
