DC vs GG, WPL 2026: Devine’s 95, last-over bowling sees Delhi Capitals suffer consecutive defeats

Defeats sometimes take some of the sheen off some stupendous performances. Lizelle Lee’s valiant 86, Laura Wolvaardt’s defiant 77 and and a scintillating five-wicket haul for Nandini Sharma, which included a hat-trick in the 20th over, could not help Delhi Capitals get off the mark in 2026 edition of the WPL.

Gujarat Giants persevered to eke out a four-run win to stay unbeaten at the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

Put in to bat, Giants’ overseas batters, led by Sophie Devine, dominated the evening, putting on a range-hitting masterclass, piercing gaps and clearing the fence without breaking a sweat. They helped the Giants to 80/0 in the PowerPlay and 122/1 at the end of the 10th over, with Devine combining with captain Ashleigh Gardner to keep DC under the pump.

AS IT HAPPENED | DC vs GG Highlights

Nandini ruined Devine’s bid for a maiden WPL hundred with N. Shree Charani holding on to a catch with every fibre of her being. Shree Charani then removed Georgia Wareham with a flying Jemimah Rodrigues pocketing a tough one at extra cover. Gardner took charge of the innings, falling only after getting Giants past the 200-mark.

After being entrusted with only two overs against Mumbai Indians 24 hours ago, Jemimah backed Nandini to bowl the 20th. She repaid the faith with four scalps to not only perform a hat-trick, but also complete a five-wicket haul.

Chasing 210, and hoping to pull off the tournament’s highest successful chase, Lee combined with her old South African opening partner Wolvaardt to give the Capitals the perfect start after Shafali Verma departed early.

Lee was innovative as she picked gaps with ease. Her 12 boundaries came from smart thinking, as she even flat-batted deliveries from outside off to the ropes, giving fielders no chances to move her away from the middle.

Devine, who has now failed to score a WPL ton twice, ruined Lee’s chances of getting there before her, holding on to a chance at long on. When Chinelle Henry departed early, Wolvaardt, who was on 36 off 23 balls, came alive. She bludgeoned 40 runs in the next 13 balls, helped by some loose bowling from the Giants. The equation quickly dropped from 60 needed off 24 balls to seven off the last six.

However, Devine defended six off the last over, while picking two wickets, to leave the Capitals agonisingly short.