Jemimah Rodrigues Opts to Bowl as Delhi Capitals Face Gujarat Giants in WPL 2026 Clash

Navi Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues won the toss and elected to bowl first against Gujarat Giants in Match 4 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai on Sunday. Expecting dew to play a decisive role later in the evening, Rodrigues backed her side’s chasing ability on a surface known to favour teams batting second.

Both teams went into the contest unchanged, retaining the same playing XIs that featured in their respective opening matches of the season on Saturday. While Gujarat Giants arrived with confidence after a winning start, Delhi Capitals were keen to bounce back following a defeat in their campaign opener.

The two sides experienced contrasting fortunes in their first outings of WPL 2026. Gujarat Giants began their season on a positive note with a victory over UP Warriorz, showcasing balance and depth in both batting and bowling. Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, suffered a loss against defending champions Mumbai Indians, prompting the team to look for a swift response in this fixture.

Explaining her decision at the toss, Rodrigues said the DY Patil Stadium traditionally supports teams chasing targets, particularly under lights. She also pointed out that dew could make it difficult for bowlers in the second innings, reinforcing her choice to field first. The Delhi skipper added that the quick turnaround between matches helped her side stay focused and avoid overthinking the loss in their opener.

Gujarat Giants captain Ashleigh Gardner reflected on her team’s performance in their previous match, noting that there were several learnings despite the win. She expressed satisfaction with the team’s execution and praised the contribution of young batter Anushka Sharma, who impressed with a vital 44 against UP Warriorz. Gardner highlighted how encouraging it was to see players making their WPL debut step up and make an immediate impact at the highest level.

With both teams eager to establish early momentum in the tournament, the clash promised an intriguing contest between Delhi’s strong batting line-up and Gujarat’s versatile bowling attack. As the league progresses, such encounters are expected to play a key role in shaping the standings.

Playing XIs

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

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

Team Maverick.