WPL 2026: Sophie Devine Stars as Gujarat Giants Edge Past Delhi Capitals

Sophie Devine delivered a performance for the ages at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday night, first with a ferocious 42-ball 95 and then with a nerve of steel in the final over, as Gujarat Giants edged past Delhi Capitals by four runs in Match 4 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026.

In a contest that swung wildly till the very last ball, Devine ensured that her all-round brilliance had the final word, defending seven runs in the closing over to restrict Delhi to 205 for 5 while chasing 210.

Asked to bat first, Gujarat Giants rode on Devine’s breathtaking assault to post a commanding 209 for 8, a total that initially appeared slightly under-par on a flat surface. What followed, however, was a chase that nearly rewrote the WPL record books.

Devine Unleashes a Storm

Devine set the tone early, dismantling Delhi’s bowling with fearless strokeplay. She struck cleanly through the line, peppered the boundaries with ease, and produced one of the most destructive overs in WPL history when she smashed Sneh Rana for 32 runs, plundering two fours and four sixes.

The New Zealand all-rounder reached her half-century in just 25 balls and continued the carnage with three sixes in an over off N Shree Charani. Her innings finally ended at 95 from 42 deliveries — five runs short of a memorable hundred — when she was caught attempting another big hit.

Though Gujarat lost momentum after her departure, skipper Ashleigh Gardner ensured the innings did not stall. Gardner’s fluent 49 off 26 balls, studded with four fours and three sixes, helped push the total close to the 210 mark.

Nandani’s Hat-Trick Brings Delhi Back

Delhi Capitals fought back admirably with the ball, led by young medium pacer Nandani Sharma. The 24-year-old from Chandigarh produced a spell to remember, finishing with career-best figures of 5 for 33.

Her hat-trick in the final over — removing Kanika Ahuja, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Renuka Singh in three balls — made her only the fourth bowler in WPL history to achieve the feat and the first uncapped player to do so. It briefly tilted the momentum back in Delhi’s favour.

Lee, Wolvaardt Power the Chase

Chasing 210, Delhi Capitals came out with intent. Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee provided a brisk start, before Verma fell attempting one shot too many. Lee then took charge, playing a classy yet aggressive knock of 85 from 54 balls, laced with 12 boundaries and three sixes.

Partnering Laura Wolvaardt, Lee added 90 runs for the second wicket, steadily dismantling Gujarat’s attack. After Lee’s dismissal, Wolvaardt carried the chase forward with remarkable composure, compiling a fluent 77 off 38 balls. She also stitched a crucial 59-run stand with captain Jemimah Rodrigues.

A blistering 18th over, where Wolvaardt struck three fours and a six, left Delhi needing just seven runs from the final six balls — the match seemingly in their grasp.

Last-Over Drama: Devine Seals It

With the crowd on edge, Devine took the ball for the final over — and delivered under immense pressure. She dismissed Rodrigues and Wolvaardt in a stunning turnaround and conceded just two runs, denying Delhi the victory by the narrowest of margins.

As Gujarat Giants players rushed to embrace their match-winner, the stadium witnessed one of the most dramatic finishes in WPL history.

In Vain for Delhi

Despite magnificent efforts from Lee and Wolvaardt, Delhi Capitals suffered their second consecutive defeat of the season. For Gujarat Giants, it was a statement victory — built on Devine’s bat, sealed by her bowling, and destined to be remembered as one of the classic finishes of the tournament.

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