WPL, GG vs DC: Devines all-round heroics help Giants edge Capitals

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

Gujarat Giants persevered to eke out a four-run win at the D.Y. Patil Stadium here on Sunday. Sophie Devine, who smashed 95 off 42 deliveries, starred with the ball too as she produced a dream final over to make it two out of two for Giants.

Put in to bat, Giants’ overseas batters, led by Devine, dominated, putting on a range-hitting masterclass, piercing gaps and clearing the fence without breaking a sweat. It helped Giants reach 80 for no loss in the PowerPlay and 122 for one at the end of the 10th over, as Devine combined with Gardner to keep DC under the pump.

Nandani ruined Devine’s bid for a maiden hundred in the tournament history with Shree Charani holding on to a tough catch. Shree Charani then removed Georgia Wareham with a flying Jemimah Rodrigues pocketing a sharp one at extra cover. Gardner took charge of the innings, falling only after getting Giants past the 200-run mark.

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

After Shafali Verma departed early, Lee combined with her old South African opening partner Wolvaardt to give Capitals a whirlwind start.

Lee was innovative as she picked the gaps with ease. Her 12 fours came from smart thinking, as she even flat-batted deliveries from outside off to the ropes. She also hit three sixes.

Devine, who has missed a WPL ton twice by a whisker, ruined Lee’s chances of getting there, 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 from the next 13 balls, helped by some loose bowling. The equation quickly dropped from 60 off 24 balls to seven off the last six. However, Devine claimed two wickets and gave away just two runs to leave Capitals agonisingly short.