WPL 2026 | Match 17: Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals | Preview and Predictions
The Gujarat Giants will meet a resurgent Delhi Capitals in this game that could have a strong bearing on both sides’ chances of making the knockouts.
For Match 17 of the 2026 Women’s Premier League season, here we present our preview and predictions.
Women’s Premier League 2026 | Match 17: GG vs DC | 19:30 IST, 27 January 2026
The Gujarat Giants finally returned to winning ways against the UP Warriorz after three successive defeats. Batting first, GG put up a fighting 153/8 on a slow pitch, with Sophie Devine (50* off 42) and Beth Mooney (38 off 34) playing against their usual destructive nature to help the team get out of their slump and get runs when all other batters disappointed. Sophie Ecclestone (2/22) and Kranti Gaud (2/18) were among the wickets for the Warriorz.
In response, the UPW batting order was completely dismantled. Meg Lanning and Harleen Deol departed early, and only Phoebe Litchfield (32 off 27) and Chloe Tryon (30* off 22) offered any kind of resistance, with the rest of the batters unable to provide any support. Indian veteran spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad produced a match-winning spell, taking 3/16 in her four overs. Devine produced figures of 2/16 to cap off an all-round effort, with Renuka Singh Thakur (2/20) further helping her side defend the target with relative ease.
With this win, GG ended up breaking their losing streak and got back in the conversation for knockout qualification.
As for their opponents, the Delhi Capitals seem to be peaking at the right time. Having started the season slowly, they have now beaten both the Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the last two games and will want to win this match-up to strengthen their claim to a second-place finish.
In the previous fixture against RCB, the Capitals completely outplayed them. Bowling first, DC restricted the dangerous RCB line-up to a paltry 109. Captain Smriti Mandhana (38 off 34) was RCB’s top scorer, but regular wickets disrupted their innings and they couldn’t quite recover. Nandini Sharma (3/26), Marizanne Kapp (2/17), and Minnu Mani (2/18) were the pick of the DC bowlers.
In response, Shafali Varma departed early, but not before hitting Lauren Bell for 12 runs in the first over. The experienced Laura Volvaardt (42* off 38) then led the Capitals’ run chase and, alongside compatriot Marizanne Kapp (19* off 15), finished the match with ease. Sayali Satghare (2/18) had another good game, but the total was too little for the RCB bowlers to defend. And so, the Capitals became the first side this season to defeat the Royal Challengers.
Coming to this match-up between GG and DC, both sides have struggled with their batting orders and performed well in the bowling department. However, the Capitals have a better bowling attack compared to the Giants; if they get to bowl first, they could restrict GG to a low total, which will make the chase easy on these slow pitches in Vadodara.
Having beaten both MI and RCB, DC have grown in confidence and seem the more likely team to end this encounter with a win.
Fantasy XI: Sophie Devine, Lizelle Lee (wk), Jemimah Rodrigues, Laura Wolvaardt, Harleen Deol, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Georgia Wareham, Nandini Sharma, Renuka Singh Thakur
Venue: Vadodara International Cricket Stadium, Kotambi, Gujarat
Winners Prediction: Delhi Capitals
