Gujarat Giants (GG) will take on Delhi Capitals (DC) on January 27 in the WPL 2026 in Vadodara, with both teams eyeing a playoff spot. With six points each so far, a win for either side will significantly boost their playoff chances. An exciting contest awaits fans at the Kotambi Stadium, in what has been a stop-start season for both teams.
Ashleigh Gardner’s GG began the season with two back-to-back wins, but their campaign was derailed by three successive losses. However, they returned to winning ways with a victory over UP Warriorz in their previous game and will now look to build momentum.
Meanwhile, Jemimah Rodrigues’ DC suffered three losses in their first four matches of the season. However, things have gone according to plan for them in Vadodara so far, as they have registered two consecutive wins. With renewed belief and form, DC will be keen to carry this momentum forward and secure a playoff spot.
In the reverse fixture in Navi Mumbai, DC suffered a narrow four-run defeat against GG. It was a thriller in which DC batters failed to handle the pressure and could not score seven runs off the final over bowled by Sophie Devine, despite having batters like Jemimah Rodrigues, Laura Wolvaardt, and Marizanne Kapp at the crease.
Standings
Gujarat Giants: 4th position, 6 matches – 3 wins, 3 losses, 6 points, NRR -0.341
Delhi Capitals: 3rd position, 6 matches – 3 wins, 3 losses, 6 points, NRR -0.169
Head-to-head record in the WPL
Overall: 7 matches – DC 4, GG 3
At Kotambi Stadium: Yet to play
GG record at Kotambi Stadium: 5 matches – Won 2, Lost 3
DC record at Kotambi Stadium: 5 matches – Won 4, Lost 1
What happened in the first meeting of this edition?
It was a high-scoring affair at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai when these two teams met earlier this season. GG batted first and posted a massive total of 209 in 20 overs. Devine smashed 95 off 42 balls, while Gardner added 49 off 26. At one stage, it looked like GG could add another 15–20 runs, but in the final over, Nandni Sharma picked up four wickets, including a hat-trick, to become only the second Indian to achieve the feat after Deepti Sharma.
Nandni finished with a five-wicket haul, while Chinelle Henry and N Shree Charani picked up two wickets each. Shafali Verma also chipped in with one scalp.
In reply, DC lost Shafali early, but Lizelle Lee and Laura Wolvaardt steadied the innings with a 90-run stand for the second wicket. Lee scored 86 off 54 balls, after which Wolvaardt and skipper Jemimah added 58 runs for the fourth wicket. With seven runs needed in the final over, the game appeared to be in DC’s favour. However, Devine showed great composure, dismissing both Jemimah and Wolvaardt in the final over to successfully defend six runs as GG won by four runs. For her all-round brilliance, Devine was named Player of the Match.
Players to watch out for
GG – Sophie Devine
Devine has been a consistent performer for GG this season. With the bat, she has scored 199 runs in six innings at a strike-rate of 160.48, including two half-centuries. After strong knocks in the first two games as an opener, she registered three single-digit scores (8, 8, and 0) in the next three matches. In the previous game against UP Warriorz, she was moved to the middle order as GG included Danni Wyatt-Hodge alongside Beth Mooney at the top.
Devine responded with an unbeaten fifty at number five, taking the team past the 150-run mark. With the ball, she has been equally effective, emerging as Gardner’s go-to option across all phases. Her defence of seven runs against DC in the reverse fixture remains a standout moment. So far, she has taken 11 wickets in six innings at an economy of 8.10. GG’s fortunes against DC will once again depend heavily on Devine’s all-round contribution.
DC – Marizanne Kapp
Veteran all-rounder Kapp has been central to DC’s last two consecutive wins. She struggled for rhythm in the first four games, both with bat and ball, and her inability to strike early in the powerplay hurt DC. She also faced criticism for her batting approach against GG and RCB in Navi Mumbai.
However, in Vadodara, Kapp has made a strong comeback. In the last two games, she has bowled economically, picked up three wickets – including early breakthroughs – and finished games with crucial runs. The confidence seems to be back, and a confident Kapp was exactly what DC needed heading into the business end of the tournament.
Credit also goes to Jemimah for her use of Kapp, especially in the recent game against RCB. In six matches, Kapp has taken six wickets at an impressive economy of 5.08. With Mooney struggling for form and Danni Wyatt-Hodge expected to open again, DC fans will hope Kapp can provide early breakthroughs with the new ball in the powerplay.
Probable Playing XIs
GG
Beth Mooney (WK), Sophie Devine, Danni Wyatt-Hodge, Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner (C), Kanika Ahuja, Bharti Fulmali, Kashvee Gautam, Happy Kumari, Renuka Singh, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.
DC
Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (WK), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (C), Marizanne Kapp, Niki Prasad, Chinelle Henry, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma.
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