The finalists are the Delhi Capitals. Again. And again. And again. And again. It seems almost routine to me now. A side that has so often lived with heartbreak, belied by the demise of Gujarat Giants this season and fate in years past, will once again have a chance at redemption.
Delhi Capitals produced a commanding chase to chase down 169 with 26 balls to spare and beat Gujarat Giants in the Women’s Premier League Eliminator in Vadodara on Tuesday to reach their fourth consecutive final. They will face table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the title clash on Thursday.
It was a performance that reflected Delhi’s consistency across seasons. Another final, another chance to set things straight. After losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the WPL 2024 final, the Capitals now have a chance to even that score. For Gujarat, the wait continues for a first finals appearance and first WPL title. After finishing strongly with the bat, they had the momentum in the middle but couldn’t match it with the ball.
GG vs DC, WPL 2026 Eliminator: HIGHLIGHTS
The chase was effectively decided on the powerplay. Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma burst into Gujarat’s attack, adding 89 for the opening wicket and taking control early. Both fell in the same Georgia Wareham, but Jemimah Rodrigues and Laura Wolvaardt ensured there were no stumbles on the way home.
Delhi struggled in the chase earlier in the season, losing twice to this opponent in the last final Defensive end Sophie Devine runs both times. There was no late drama this time. Gujarat were dismantled up front as they were guilty of too many deliveries in the slot to the strong opening pair, a mistake they never recovered from.
MOONEY GUIDES GG TO 168
Asked to bat, the Giants were steadied by Beth Mooney, who played the role of sail anchor with a composed unbeaten half-century. The Australian opener hit 62 not out from 51 balls, laced with six boundaries, which held the innings together after Gujarat were put under a lot of pressure early on due to disciplined bowling by Delhi.
Mooney found vital support from fellow Australian Georgia Wareham, with the pair adding a brisk 61 runs for the fifth wicket. Mooney then put on another valuable 39-run stand with Kashvee Gautam (18) to lift the Giants to a fighting 168 for 7.
Delhi made an early breakthrough through Chinella Henry (3/35) who removed the dangerous Sophie Devine for 6. Nandini Sharma (2/44) then made an immediate impact by hitting her first two deliveries in the sixth over. She first accounted for Anushka Sharma (16) who mistimed a flick to mid-on where Henry completed a diving catch before eliciting a strong outside edge from skipper Ashleigh Gardner (0) which was safely caught by Sneh Rana at slip.
Mooney tried to counter-attack on the Nandini boundary but scoring proved difficult once spinners Minnu Mani (1/23) and Rana (0/30) were introduced. Mani had Kanik Ahuja (6) stumped by Lizelle Lee, bringing Wareham to the crease. Wareham hit three boundaries and a six to add momentum as Mooney continued to anchor from the other end.
Just when the Giants appeared to be gaining control, Henry returned to dismiss Wareham and Bharti Fulmali at the same time. Late success from Mooney and Kashvee ensured a fairly competitive result, but it was not enough to match a clinical Delhi side who booked their place in another WPL final with authority.
– The end
Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
February 3, 2026
