Jemimah’s breezy knock ensured DC romped home.
| Photo Credit: VIJAY SONEJI
Delhi Capitals had faltered in the final over of the chase in its two defeats to Gujarat Giants in the league phase of the 2026 Women’s Premier League. In the Eliminator on Tuesday, Capitals didn’t allow the game to get that close.
In pursuit of 169 on a track offering low bounce at the Kotambi Stadium, Jemimah Rodrigues and Co. strolled to a seven-wicket win with 26 balls to spare, and sealed their spot in Thursday’s final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. This will be Capitals’ fourth straight appearance in the summit clash.
In marked contrast to Giants’ batters, who found the going tough early on, Capitals blazed away to 75 for no loss in the first six overs of the pursuit as Lizelle Lee and Shafali Verma displayed ferocious ball-striking. In the fifth over, the pair tore into Renuka Singh, hitting five fours.
It was Georgia Wareham’s introduction in the eighth over that gave the hosts some relief. The leggie snared Lee and Shafali in the space of five deliveries. But by then, DC was 92 for two, and just needed another 77 runs off 72 balls. Thereafter, Jemimah (41, 23b, 4×4, 1×6) and Laura Wolvaardt took (32 n.o., 24b, 2×4, 1×6) firm control with crisp shots in a 68-run stand.
Earlier, Beth Mooney (62 n.o., 51b, 6×4) did well to help Giants recover from 59 for four and post 168 for seven.
She received considerable support from Wareham, who hit a quick-fire 35 in a partnership of 61. For DC, Chinelle Henry took three wickets.
A shaky start meant Ashleigh Gardner’s side was always up against it. Sophie Devine slashed hard to get off the mark with a boundary off Marizanne Kapp. But when she tried a similar shot against Henry in the next over, the ball took her outside edge. Lee stuck her right glove out for a nonchalant grab.
Giants’ run rate received a slight boost when Kapp leaked 17 in the fifth over, but it was promptly offset by Nandani Sharma removing Anushka Sharma and Gardner off consecutive balls.
In the circumstances, Mooney and Wareham applied themselves sensibly to ensure a competitive total. But it was no more than that.
Published – February 04, 2026 12:04 am IST
