WPL 2026: On a high after beating RCB, Delhi Capitals aim for strong showing against Gujarat Giants
Delhi Capitals, the WPL’s most consistent team after reaching all three finals but finishing runners-up each time, made an impressive statement by inflicting their first defeat of the season on Smriti Mandhana-led Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their final outing.
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The comprehensive seven-wicket win not only kept them in play-off contention but also lifted them to second place in the WPL points table.
Led by star Indian batsman Jemimah Rodrigues, DC did not have the best start to the season but their consistency emerged as the season progressed. South Africa’s powerful batsmen Laura Wolvaardt and Lizelle Lee established solidity at the top, but ace opener Shafali Verma’s erratic form continued.
Shafali has only managed a half-century at the top and Jemimah will want the top order to all fire together to avoid losing focus as the tournament enters a crucial phase. He too will be hoping to shake off his ongoing poor form this season, scoring just a half-century against Mumbai Indians, as he continues to showcase his leadership skills in his first season as DC’s captain.
Jemimah will be pleased with the wealth of bowling options available to her. Ignoring a strong RCB batting line-up for just over 100 runs in their previous match was a masterclass for the bowlers, especially young pacer Nandani Sharma, experienced South African quick Marizanne Kapp and left-arm spinner Shree Charani, who quickly became an expert at containing runs. Charani, however, will go out of his way against the Gujarat Giants, a team that defeated him by 42 runs in their previous encounter this season, and later score a mammoth goal. A total of over 200 runs and they narrowly defeated Delhi Capitals by four runs in a thrilling encounter at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
Gujarat Giants, who sit third behind DC with both teams on six points, are yet to fire consistently despite having a very strong batting line-up; This is the main reason why they can only manage three wins in six matches.
GG’s New Zealand opener Sophie Devine made a masterful 95 against DC earlier this season, but three successive single-digit scores thereafter raised concerns. However, his unbeaten half-century in the last match against UP Warriorz would have gone a long way in restoring his confidence.
Devine’s all-round performance (consistently picking up wickets) has established him as one of the main game changers for the team and his impact will be crucial once again on Tuesday.
GG will also be hoping to find form for Australian stalwart Beth Mooney, who has struggled this season, and captain Ashleigh Gardner, who has not been at her best and has often relied on the lower order to strike late and score goals.
While the Pacers trio (Renuka Singh, Kashvee Gautam and Sophie Devine) can turn the game around, India’s spin department, led by the formidable Rajeshwari Gayakwad, adds a potent combination that can make a significant impact.
Teams.
Gujarat Giants: Ashleigh Gardner (c), Kanika Ahuja, Sophie Devine, Bharti Fulmali, Kim Garth, Kashvee Gautam, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, Happy Kumari, Jintimani Kalita, Tanuja Kanwar, Beth Mooney (wk), Renuka Singh, Anushka Sharma, Shivani Singh, Ayushi Soni, Georgia Wareham, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.
Delhi Capitals: Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Taniya Bhatia (week), Lucy Hamilton, Chinelle Henry, Marizanne Kapp, Alana King, Lizelle Lee, Minnu Mani, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Shafali Verma, Nandani Sharma, Shree Charani, Pragati Singh, Eddla Srujana, Laura Wolvaardt.
The match will start at 19.30.
