Gujarat Giants beat Delhi Capitals in WPL by 4 runs, Sophie Devine shines with bat and bowl

The DY Patil Stadium witnessed a cricketing spectacle on Sunday as the Gujarat Giants secured a narrow 4-run victory against the Delhi Capitals in a high-stakes WPL 2026 encounter. Opting to bat first, the Giants posted a formidable total of 209/7, the highest-ever in their WPL history. The innings was defined by Sophie Devine's brutal assault, as the Kiwi veteran smashed 95 off just 42 deliveries. A defining moment occurred in the 6th over when Devine hammered Sneh Rana for 32 runs, including four consecutive sixes, setting a new record for the most expensive over in the league's history.

Despite the carnage, Delhi Capitals' young uncapped pacer Nandini Sharma staged a remarkable comeback. She etched her name into the record books by claiming the first hat-trick of the WPL 2026 season in the final over of the Giants' innings. Dismissing Kanika Ahuja, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Renuka Singh in successive deliveries, Sharma finished with stellar figures of 5/33, becoming the first uncapped player to take a fifer and a hat-trick in the same WPL match. Her intervention prevented the Giants from crossing the 230-run mark.

Chasing a massive 210 for victory, Delhi Capitals stayed in the hunt thanks to a power-packed opening from Lizelle Lee, who scored 86 off 54 balls. Following Lee's dismissal, Laura Wolvaardt took over the mantle, blasting 77 off just 38 balls. The game swung like a pendulum in the closing stages, and when Delhi plundered 22 runs in the 19th over, they seemed favorites, needing only 7 runs from the final six balls with well-set batters at the crease.

However, the final twist belonged to Sophie Devine. Entrusted with the ball, she delivered a masterclass in death bowling. Devine removed both the dangerous Wolvaardt and skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (15) while conceding only two runs in the entire over. The match came down to 5 needed off the last ball, but Devine delivered a perfect dot ball to seal a historic win. With this victory, Gujarat Giants moved to the top of the table, while Delhi Capitals suffered their second consecutive loss.