Navi Mumbai, Jan 11 (NationPress) Sophie Devine delivered a stunning performance, scoring a magnificent 95 off just 42 balls and taking two wickets in a thrilling final over, guiding the Gujarat Giants to a narrow victory by four runs against the Delhi Capitals, who are three-time finalists, in Match 4 of the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.

Devine's explosive innings included a remarkable 32 runs in a single over, propelling the Gujarat Giants to a formidable score of 209 in their 20 overs after they were asked to bat first. Many believed the Giants had undershot their target by 20-30 runs, especially after a young medium pacer from Delhi Capitals achieved her first five-wicket haul, completing a hat-trick in the last three deliveries of the innings.

However, the final twist came when Devine expertly restricted the Delhi Capitals to 205/5 in their chase, preventing them from scoring the seven runs they needed to win in the final over.

Outstanding half-centuries from Lizelle Lee (85 off 54) and Laura Wolvaardt (77 off 38) went unrewarded as the Capitals faced their second defeat. After Lee set the stage, Wolvaardt partnered with skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (15) to add 59 runs for the fourth wicket, bringing Delhi close to victory, needing just seven runs from the final six balls.

However, Devine maintained her composure and took the pivotal wickets of Rodrigues and Wolvaardt, allowing only two runs in the last over to clinch a memorable win at the Dr DY Patil Stadium.

Delhi Capitals, opting to bowl first, confidently aimed for a record chase in WPL history, with Shafali Verma and Lee building a solid opening partnership of 41 runs.

Shafali was dismissed early, bowled by Rajeshwari Gayakwad. Lee kept the momentum going with a blistering 86 off 54 balls, featuring 12 fours and three sixes.

Lee and Wolvaardt combined for 90 runs for the second wicket, initially playing cautiously before launching aggressive shots. Lee reached her fifty off 33 balls, striking eight fours and two sixes.

Just as Lee looked poised for a century, Kashvee Gautam ended her innings, catching her out at the long-on boundary.

Wolvaardt, despite the loss of Chinelle Henry (7), kept the Capitals in the game, reaching her fifty off 29 balls and adding crucial runs with Rodrigues. She unleashed a flurry of boundaries against Ashleigh Gardner, scoring 19 runs in the 18th over to shift the pressure back onto the Giants.

Earlier, Devine's explosive knock set the tone for the Giants, helping them achieve the highest-ever total in WPL history.

She dominated the bowling attack, starting with a four off Chinelle Henry and finishing the over with another boundary. Devine scored back-to-back fours off Nandini Sharma and launched her first six of the match.

In a remarkable over, Devine hammered Sneh Rana for two fours and four sixes, amassing 32 runs in total and reaching fifty in just 25 balls.

She continued her onslaught, hitting three sixes in an over off N Shree Charani during the 9th over. Ultimately, Devine fell just five runs shy of a deserved century, caught out while scoring 95 off 42 balls.

Delhi Capitals managed to pull back slightly, with Georgia Wareham (3), Anushka Sharma (13), and Bharti Fulmali (3) failing to contribute significantly. However, skipper Ashleigh Gardner provided a late surge with a brisk 49 off 26 balls, hitting four boundaries and three sixes.

In a dramatic turn, Nandani Sharma of Delhi Capitals made history by becoming the fourth bowler to achieve a hat-trick in WPL, taking the wickets of Kanika Ahuja (4), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (0), and Renuka Singh (0). She also claimed Devine's wicket and finished with impressive figures of 5-33 in her four overs.

Despite the Capitals' efforts, Devine's brilliant final over ensured the Giants emerged victorious.

Brief scores:

Gujarat Giants 209 all out in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 95, Ashleigh Gardner 49; Nandani Sharma 5-33, Shree Charani 2-42, Chinelle Henry 2-43) beat Delhi Capitals 205/5 in 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 85, Laura Wolvaardt 77; Sophie Devine 2-21, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2-34) by 4 runs.