WPL 2026 Match 4 Preview: The fourth edition of the TATA Women’s Premier League (WPL 2026) has exploded into life, and Match 4 promises another blockbuster as Delhi Capitals (DC) lock horns with the Gujarat Giants (GG) at the iconic Dr. DY Patil Sports Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
With contrasting starts to their campaigns and plenty of star power on display, this clash has all the ingredients of a high-scoring thriller.
Match Details
- Match: Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Giants, Match 4
- Venue: Dr. DY Patil Sports Stadium, Navi Mumbai
- Time: 7:30 PM IST onwards
- Ticket Status: Sale is live—book now
Momentum with Gujarat, Motivation with Delhi
The Gujarat Giants walk into this encounter riding a wave of confidence. For the first time in WPL history, they have won their opening match of a season, and they did it in emphatic fashion.
Smashing 207 runs—their highest-ever WPL total—GG showcased a fearless batting approach, hammering 10 sixes, the joint-most in a WPL innings for the franchise.
On the other side, the Delhi Capitals have a point to prove. A 50-run defeat against Mumbai Indians, their heaviest loss in WPL history, has put them under early pressure.
DC, perennial table-toppers who have consistently made the playoffs but fallen short at the final hurdle, are now in the middle of a transition phase.
With Jemimah Rodrigues taking over the captaincy after the departure of Meg Lanning, this match represents a chance to reset the tone for their campaign.
Are the Gujarat Giants Too Dependent on Their Overseas Top Four?
Yes or No? That question will be answered on the field…. There’s no denying that GG’s batting firepower heavily revolves around their overseas stars, especially in the top order.
While this has worked wonders so far, an early collapse could expose a relatively inexperienced middle order. However, Gujarat do possess a crucial safety valve—Georgia Wareham.
Since the start of 2025, Wareham has been sensational across T20s, picking up 43 wickets at an average of 15.09 with an economy of just 6.73. With the bat, she has been dismissed only once in her last five WPL innings, making her a genuine game-changer.
Key Batters Who Can Change the Game
Ashleigh Gardner—The Heartbeat of Gujarat Giants
Ashleigh Gardner has been nothing short of phenomenal for the Giants. She leads GG’s all-time charts for both runs and wickets in WPL history and has accumulated 632 runs, the second-highest by a middle-order batter in the competition. Only Harmanpreet Kaur (945 runs) sits above her.
Gardner’s power-hitting has reached another level since 2025. After managing just 8 sixes across the first two seasons, she has smashed 21 sixes since the start of last season, taking her tally to 29, the third-most in WPL history.
Chinelle Henry—Impact Player with a Fearless Strike Rate
New to the Gujarat setup, Chinelle Henry made an immediate statement with a blistering 50 against the Mumbai Indians. She boasts the best strike rate in WPL history (189) among batters with a minimum of 200 runs—better than stars like Shafali Verma and Sophie Devine, both of whom will feature in this contest.
Battle to Watch: Shafali Verma vs Renuka Singh Thakur
This is a showdown between two of India’s biggest T20 superstars.
- Shafali Verma is the most destructive Powerplay batter in WPL history, topping the charts with 581 runs in the first six overs.
- Renuka Singh Thakur, however, has often troubled Shafali with her ability to swing the new ball back into right-handers.
This Powerplay duel could define the DC innings. If Shafali gets going, Delhi could post a daunting total. If Renuka strikes early, Gujarat will seize control.
Giants’ Top Order vs Marizanne Kapp—A Tactical Chess Match
When it comes to big-match players, Marizanne Kapp stands in a league of her own. Widely regarded as the best all-rounder in the world, Kapp has a knack for picking up early wickets.
If she dismantles GG’s top order in the Powerplay, Delhi could expose the Giants’ softer underbelly in the middle overs.
That said, Gujarat’s batting strength undeniably lies at the top, and if Gardner, Devine, or Henry survive the initial burst, DC’s bowlers could be in for a long night.
Head-to-Head and Venue Factor
Total Match Played: 6
Gujarat Giants:- 3
Delhi Capitals:- 3
Historically, Delhi Capitals have dominated this fixture, leading the head-to-head 4–2. However, Gujarat have shown they can bite back, especially in tight contests.
The Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy is traditionally a batter’s paradise, with short boundaries and a lightning-fast outfield. The evening start brings the dew factor into play, making chasing significantly easier.
Expect captains to bowl first, although Mumbai Indians recently proved that disciplined bowling after posting a strong total can still win games here.
Final Verdict: Who Holds the Edge?
While Gujarat Giants have the momentum, Delhi Capitals have the motivation. The addition of Laura Wolvaardt, combined with DC’s superior bowling depth, gives Delhi a slight edge—provided their top order fires.
However, if Sophie Devine and Ashleigh Gardner find rhythm early, Gujarat could very well secure back-to-back wins and announce themselves as genuine title contenders.
All signs—recent form, venue conditions, and explosive batting line-ups—point towards a high-scoring WPL classic under the Navi Mumbai lights.
Also Read: WPL 2026: Mumbai Indians Crush Delhi Capitals by 50 Runs – Full Match Report