Delhi Capitals Storm into Fourth Straight WPL Final with Dominant Win over Gujarat Giants

Delhi Capitals continued their remarkable consistency in the Women’s Premier League, booking a place in their fourth consecutive final with a commanding victory over Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator. A blistering opening partnership, followed by a composed middle-order chase and a disciplined bowling performance, saw DC complete the 169-run target with 26 balls to spare. They will now face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final in Vadodara on February 5.

Chasing 169, DC finally saw their explosive opening pair of Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma fire in unison. The duo added 89 runs for the first wicket, effectively dismantling the Giants’ hopes early. Shafali capitalised on some erratic bowling from Sophie Devine, while both batters punished anything loose to race DC to 75 in the powerplay. Lee and Shafali struck boundaries at will before Georgia Wareham removed both in the eighth over, but by then the damage had been done.

Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt ensured there were no stutters in the chase. The pair stitched together a fluent 68-run partnership, mixing elegance with authority as the required rate dipped below a run a ball. Rodrigues was particularly aggressive, smashing 41 off 23 balls, including a towering six over mid-off, while Wolvaardt played the perfect foil. Marizanne Kapp sealed the win in the 16th over as DC cruised home comfortably.

Earlier, Gujarat Giants endured a rare failure batting first despite having won all five of their previous matches this season when setting a target. Their innings faltered early as Sophie Devine departed in the second over, edging Chinelle Henry to Lee, who pulled off a stunning one-handed catch. Nandani Sharma then ripped through the middle order, removing Anushka Sharma and Ashleigh Gardner off successive deliveries to become the highest wicket-taking Indian in a single WPL season with 16 scalps.

Minnu Mani added to the pressure, leaving GG reeling at 59 for 4. Beth Mooney, however, anchored the innings with a calm and resilient knock. After a prolonged boundary drought, she began to find her range, supported by Georgia Wareham, who provided momentum with the first six of the match. The pair lifted GG past 100 before Henry returned to break the stand in the 17th over.

Mooney remained unbeaten on 62 off 51 balls, striking six boundaries in the final three overs alongside Kashvee Gautam to push Gujarat Giants to a competitive 168. Ultimately, though, it proved insufficient against a Delhi Capitals side peaking at the right time.

With yet another dominant performance, DC now head into the final brimming with confidence as they chase their maiden WPL title.