WPL 2026: Gujarat Giants beat Delhi Capitals by 3 runs after Sophie Devine defends final over
Gujarat Giants edged Delhi Capitals by three runs in a tight WPL 2026 contest in Vadodara, with veteran all-rounder Sophie Devine keeping her composure to successfully defend the final over as Delhi fell just short in the chase.
A last-over finish seals Giants’ season double
Gujarat Giants clinched a dramatic three-run win over Delhi Capitals in the 17th match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. The result completed a season double for the Giants over the Capitals and extended a trend of close finishes in the tournament.
Chasing 175, Delhi took the game deep and entered the final over needing nine runs with two set batters at the crease. But Sophie Devine, the experienced all-rounder, held her nerve under pressure and executed her plans in the last six balls to close out the match.
How the last over swung the match
In tight chases, teams often look for a boundary early in the final over to reduce the required rate and force the bowler into defensive lines. Gujarat’s ability to protect the rope and Devine’s disciplined length meant Delhi could not find the big hit at the right moment, turning a near-even finish into a narrow defeat.
What this means for the league table
A late-stage victory of this kind can be crucial for net run-rate and confidence as the league phase progresses. For Gujarat, a close win strengthens momentum; for Delhi, the takeaway is clear: small execution gains—particularly in death overs—can decide matches in a competitive WPL season.
With the tournament moving into its decisive stretch, teams are increasingly treating final-overs bowling and chase management as must-win skills rather than situational strengths.