Vadodara, Feb 3 (NationPress) In a pivotal match of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 held at the BCA Stadium (Kotambi), Delhi Capitals won the toss and opted to bowl first against Gujarat Giants. Both teams are entering this crucial eliminator with an unchanged starting XI from their last match, and the victor will advance to play against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the final on Thursday.

The fourth season of the Women’s Premier League has been marked by tight contests, making clear victories a rarity. The Delhi Capitals have felt this intensity, having faltered in two run chases against the Gujarat Giants during the league stage, and facing challenges in finishing tight matches under the steady guidance of Sophie Devine.

These outcomes led to different paths to the eliminator. The Gujarat Giants secured the second position in the standings, clinching their place with a commendable win against the defending champions, Mumbai Indians, on the last day of the league. In contrast, Delhi Capitals had to wait until the very end to secure their qualification. Nevertheless, as the eliminator approaches, previous performances hold little significance.

Both teams arrive boasting formidable recent form at the venue, with victories in three out of their last four matches and having found stability in their line-ups after some tactical tweaks. The primary distinction lies in depth: while Delhi Capitals have seen match-winning performances from several players, the Gujarat Giants heavily depend on a few key players. Whether this reliance proves detrimental or if Devine can lead the Giants to their first final remains to be seen in what promises to be an exhilarating knockout battle.

After winning the toss, DC captain Jemimah Rodrigues stated, “It appears to be a fresh surface. Any target seems achievable, and with the dew coming in, the pitch should improve under lights. The message to the team is to control the controllables. Today is a new game, and if any game is crucial, it is tonight. We aim to win.”

On the other side, GG captain Ashleigh Gardner commented, “We planned to bat and sensed they might opt to bowl, which turned out well. Our aim is to be aggressive with the bat and capitalize during the powerplay. Tonight, nothing changes for us. The conditions resemble those of the last couple of pitches. We need to assess quickly and adapt as needed.”

Playing XIs:

Delhi Capitals: Shafali Verma, Lizelle Lee (wk), Laura Wolvaardt, Jemimah Rodrigues (c), Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, Niki Prasad, Sneh Rana, Minnu Mani, Shree Charani, Nandni Sharma.

Gujarat Giants: Beth Mooney (wk), Sophie Devine, Anushka Sharma, Ashleigh Gardner (c), Georgia Wareham, Bharti Fulmali, Kanika Ahuja, Kashvee Gautam, Tanuja Kanwer, Renuka Singh Thakur, Rajeshwari Gayakwad.