Gujarat Giants (GG) edged out Delhi Capitals (DC) by a narrow margin of three runs in the thrilling 17th match of the Women’s Premier League 2026 at Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. Gujarat Giants posted 174/9 in 20 overs, helped by a superb half-century from Beth Mooney and a blazing knock by Anushka Brijmohan Sharma. Nallapureddy Charani (4/31 in 4 overs) was the most successful bowler for Delhi Capitals, while Chinelle Henry claimed two wickets.

In reply, Delhi Capitals got off to a strong start but lost wickets continuously at regular intervals. Niki Prasad, who scored 47 off just 24 balls, and Sneh Rana, who made 29 off 15 deliveries, nearly took Delhi Capitals to the finish line but missed the opportunity. Sophie Devine held her nerve in the final over when Delhi Capitals needed nine runs. She picked up two wickets and conceded only five runs. In the end, Delhi Capitals fell short by three runs and lost the match.

Prasad and Rana nearly pull off a miracle

Before the tense finish, DC had looked down and out. They were struggling at 100 for 6 when Prasad and Rana came together.

What followed was a stunning counterattack. The pair added 70 runs in just 31 balls, suddenly putting pressure back on GG. Their late surge brought DC within touching distance of an unlikely win, only for Devine to spoil the party at the end.

Anushka Sharma changes the momentum early

Gujarat Giants’ innings was shaped early by Anushka Sharma’s aggressive approach. She walked in at 19 for 1 after Devine fell to Marizanne Kapp in the third over.

Although she began cautiously, Anushka soon found her rhythm. She trusted her bottom hand and focused on timing rather than power. A backfoot punch past mid-off off Nandani Sharma brought her first boundary. Soon after, a neat clip through midwicket showed her growing confidence.

In the fifth over, she took on Kapp, who had the best powerplay economy in the WPL at under five. Anushka struck three fours in that over, driving and whipping the ball with ease. Overall, she hit eight fours and looked set for a big score.

However, after being dropped by Chinelle Henry at mid-off, Anushka attempted a slog sweep on the next ball. She was caught at deep midwicket by Minnu Mani for 39, leaving GG at 73 for 2 in the ninth over.

Mooney anchors with first fifty of the season

With Anushka gone, Beth Mooney took charge of holding the innings together. At the time, she was 16 off 18 balls and had managed only one boundary.

At the halfway stage, GG were 80 for 2. A key moment came when Jemimah Rodrigues decided to bowl out Kapp in the 11th over. Mooney made the most of it, hitting three fours in that over.

She then found her flow, adding two more boundaries through backward point to bring up her first fifty of the season, off 40 balls. Mooney’s innings ended in the 17th over when she was deceived by Nandani Sharma’s slower ball.

Middle-order collapse puts GG under pressure

After Mooney’s dismissal, Gujarat Giants lost momentum. Between the 15th and 18th overs, wickets fell in quick succession. Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, and Kashvee Gautam were all dismissed as Shree Charani struck twice in one over.

At that stage, DC seemed to have pulled the game back in their favour.

Tanuja Kanwar’s late burst lifts GG to 174

Just when GG needed a push, Tanuja Kanwar, playing her first match after missing the previous game, stepped up. She scored a rapid 21 off 11 balls, lifting the total to a competitive 174.

In the final over, she took 15 runs off Chinelle Henry, hitting two fours and then launching a six straight over the bowler’s head. Charani finished as DC’s standout bowler with figures of 4 for 31.

Delhi Capitals start strong but lose control

DC began the chase well, racing to 41 for 1 after five overs. However, Devine struck at the end of the powerplay, removing Lizelle Lee with a slower delivery.

From the seventh over, Kanwar and Ash Gardner tightened the screws. They conceded only 15 runs in three overs to Laura Wolvaardt and Jemimah Rodrigues, slowing DC’s progress.

Wareham went for 12 runs in the 10th over, which led Devine to return to the attack. She struck immediately, bowling Rodrigues as the batter attempted a scoop. Two balls later, Gardner removed Marizanne Kapp.

By the end of 12 overs, DC’s required run rate had climbed to 11.37. Wolvaardt then fell to Gayakwad, making it 85 for 5, and soon after 100 for 6, with 75 needed from 33 balls.

Prasad and Rana ignite a late surge

With little hope left, Prasad and Rana launched a fearless attack. The 20-year-old Prasad smashed 47 off 25 balls, hitting nine fours. Rana added power with two sixes and three fours.

Prasad attacked from the start, cutting and lofting the ball past mid-off, short third, and extra cover. One of the standout moments was her three consecutive fours off Devine, which swung momentum sharply.

Their partnership suddenly brought the target within reach and set up a dramatic final over.

Devine keeps her cool under pressure

Once again, Devine proved decisive at the death. In the final over, she dismissed Rana and Prasad, using clever slower balls and sharp field placements.

Despite frantic running and a tense attempt to steal runs, both batters were caught in the deep. Gujarat Giants held on for a three-run win, sealing a dramatic finish and another memorable night for Devine.