The Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 heats up as the Delhi Capitals (DC) take on the Gujarat Giants (GG) in Match 17 on Tuesday, January 27. With both teams locked at three wins apiece, this encounter at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara is effectively a “quarter-final” for a spot in the postseason.
Delhi enters the game with massive momentum after toppling the previously undefeated Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Meanwhile, Gujarat is looking to prove their earlier 4-run victory over DC this season wasn’t a fluke.
Match Details & Current Form
| Feature | Details |
| Match | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants, Match 17 |
| Venue | Kotambi Stadium, Vadodara |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| DC Form | W, W, L, W, L (Recent first) |
| GG Form | W, L, L, L, W |
Key Player Battles to Watch
- Sophie Devine vs Marizanne Kapp: Devine was the architect of GG’s victory earlier this season with a bruising 95. Kapp, DC’s new-ball specialist, will be tasked with removing the dangerous Kiwi early to prevent a repeat.
- Lizelle Lee vs Renuka Singh Thakur: Lee is DC’s top run-getter this season (219 runs), but she faces a stern test against Renuka, whose ability to swing the ball at the Kotambi Stadium has already yielded 7 wickets this tournament.
- Bharti Fulmali vs Nandni Sharma: A high-stakes “death overs” battle. Fulmali has been striking at 165+ in the final five overs, while DC’s breakout star Nandni Sharma is currently the league’s leading wicket-taker in that same phase.
Top Performers (Head-to-Head)
- Shafali Verma (DC): Boasts an incredible record against the Giants, with 266 runs in 7 innings at a strike rate of 180.95.
- Ashleigh Gardner (GG): The Giants’ captain has been a consistent performer with 177 runs against DC and leads the six-hitting charts at this venue.
- Nandni Sharma (DC): The pacer has taken 13 wickets in 6 matches this season, making her the primary threat for the GG top order.
Pitch & Toss Prediction
The Kotambi Stadium surface has been dual-natured. While it offers a slow and low bounce that aids spinners like Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Minnu Mani, the ball comes on better under lights.
- Toss Factor: Historically, chasing is the preferred strategy in Vadodara, with 8 out of 11 matches won by the team batting second.
- Winning Score: A total of 165–170 is considered highly competitive on this track.
Match Winner Prediction
While the Gujarat Giants held their nerve in a thriller earlier this season, the Delhi Capitals hold the edge for this rematch. Jemimah Rodrigues’ side has found a perfect balance in their bowling attack, and historically, no team has managed a league double over DC in WPL history. With their top order firing and Nandni Sharma in career-best form, DC is likely to secure the win and their playoff berth.
