WPL 2026 Match 4 Preview: The Battle of Momentum – Can Jemimah’s Delhi Capitals Halt the Gujarat Giants’ Juggernaut?

 

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🔥 WPL MATCH 4: SUPER SUNDAY 🔥
DELHI CAPITALS 🆚 GUJARAT GIANTS
⏰ Starts Tonight 7:30 PM

🔴 CHECK LIVE SCORE

Hello Friends! Welcome back to Sportspress247

By: Sportspress Senior Cricket Analyst

Date: January 11, 2026

Match: Delhi Capitals (DC) vs. Gujarat Giants (GG)

Time: 7:30 PM IST (Today)

Venue: WPL Hub (Bengaluru/Mumbai)

Live Streaming: Sports18 & JioCinema

​It is Super Sunday, and the Women’s Premier League (WPL) is serving up a main course that promises to be spicy, dramatic, and absolutely crucial for the early standings of the 2026 season.

​Tonight at 7:30 PM, two teams with completely contrasting starts to their campaigns will collide under the floodlights.

On one side, we have the Delhi Capitals (DC), a team filled with superstars who are currently licking their wounds after a bruising defeat in their opener.

On the other side, we have the Gujarat Giants (GG), a team that looks dangerous, confident, and fresh off an emphatic victory that sent shockwaves through the league.

​This isn't just Match 4. This is a test of character.

Can Jemimah Rodrigues, in her debut season as captain, rally her troops and avoid a 0-2 start? Or will the Ashleigh Gardner-inspired Giants continue their dominance and climb to the top of the table?

​Let’s break down every single angle of this massive encounter.

​CHAPTER 1: The Context – Why This Match Matters

​In tournament cricket, "Momentum" is the 12th player.

  • For Delhi Capitals: Losing your first game is common. Losing two in a row sets off alarm bells. Delhi showed glimpses of their quality in the first match, but they lacked the finishing touch. Tonight is about redemption. Tonight is about proving that their star-studded lineup isn't just good on paper.
  • For Gujarat Giants: The Giants have often been the "underdogs" of the WPL. But after their opening win, they have walked into this game with swagger. A win tonight would signal to the rest of the league (especially Mumbai and RCB) that the Giants are genuine title contenders this year.

​CHAPTER 2: Delhi Capitals – The "Sleeping Giants" Need to Wake Up

​Let’s be honest: The Delhi Capitals have arguably the most destructive batting lineup in the league. Yet, they faltered in Game 1.

The management will be asking for one thing tonight: Consistency.

​The Top Order: Firepower waiting to Explode

​The Capitals boast serious firepower at the top.

  • Shafali Verma: The pocket dynamo. She doesn't just hit the ball; she hurts it. Delhi needs her to stay for 6 overs. If Shafali bats through the Powerplay, Delhi wins 80% of their games.
  • Lizelle Lee: The South African power-hitter adds another layer of threat. Her job is to dominate the spinners.
  • Laura Wolvaardt: The calming influence. The addition of Wolvaardt brings top-class batting quality and composure to the lineup. While Shafali and Lee go berserk, Wolvaardt is the glue that holds the innings together. She is the perfect foil to the chaos around her.

​The Middle Order: The "Chinelle Henry" Factor

​The biggest positive from Delhi’s opening loss was Chinelle Henry.

Her explosive batting underlined the power they possess in the middle order. When the top order collapsed, Henry stood tall. Tonight, Delhi will hope she doesn't have to do a rescue job, but rather a finishing job. If she walks in at the 15th over with a platform set, Gujarat’s bowlers will be in trouble.

​The Bowling Concerns

​Delhi’s bowling needs tightening. While debutant Nandni Sharma impressed with the ball in the first game, she cannot do it alone.

The team will hope for more consistent support from Sree Charani and Sneh Rana. The middle overs (7-15) are where Delhi lost the plot in the last game. Sneh Rana, with her experience, needs to control the flow of runs and pick up wickets to stop the Giants from accelerating.

​CHAPTER 3: Gujarat Giants – The "Orange Army" is Marching

​Confidence is a dangerous drug, and right now, the Gujarat Giants are high on it. They come into this match after an emphatic opening win that highlighted their batting firepower and all-round depth.

​The Core: Ashleigh Gardner & Sophie Devine

​The Giants' success revolves around their international superstars.

  • Ashleigh Gardner: She continues to be central to their plans. Whether it’s hitting sixes for fun or breaking partnerships with her off-spin, Gardner is the MVP. If Delhi wants to win, they need to keep Gardner quiet.
  • Sophie Devine: The veteran showed her class with a telling all-round performance in the first game. Her experience underlines the Giants' versatility. Having a player like Devine who can open the bowling and finish an innings is a luxury.

​The "X-Factors": Wareham & Anushka

  • Georgia Wareham: Her impact in both disciplines (batting and fielding/bowling) adds another layer of threat. In modern T20 cricket, you need 3-dimensional players, and Wareham is exactly that.
  • Anushka Sharma: The young Indian talent caught the eye with an excellent debut. It’s always exciting to see a domestic player stand up among international giants. Her fearlessness is exactly what this Gujarat team needed.

​The Indian Bowling Core

​The Giants look well-equipped in the pace department. The Indian duo of Renuka Singh Thakur and Kashvee Gautam provides control and know-how.

Renuka’s swing with the new ball vs. Shafali Verma’s aggression will be the battle of the match. If Renuka strikes early, Delhi could panic.

​CHAPTER 4: Tactical Analysis – Where Will the Match be Won?

​1. The Powerplay Battle (Overs 1-6)

  • DC's Strategy: Attack. With Shafali and Lee, they have no other gear. They will look to score 50+ in the first 6 overs to kill the chase or set a massive target.
  • GG's Strategy: Swing. Renuka Singh Thakur will look to pitch the ball up and invite the drive. If she gets movement, Delhi’s aggressive openers are vulnerable.

​2. The Middle Overs (Overs 7-15)

  • DC's Weakness: This is where they need to tighten up. They rely on Marizanne Kapp to give them flexibility across phases. Kapp is the world's best at reading the game. She needs to bowl her cutters and dry up the runs.
  • GG's Strength: With Ash Gardner and Georgia Wareham, Gujarat has spinners who take wickets. They don't just contain; they attack.

​3. The "Adaptability" Test

​Both sides are packed with match-winners but are still settling into the season. The pitch conditions at 7:30 PM will likely feature dew. The team that adapts faster—whether it’s bowling wider lines to avoid the hitting arc or using slower bouncers—will win. As the source says, this clash shapes up as an intriguing early test of intent and adaptability.

​CHAPTER 5: Key Player Battles to Watch

1. Shafali Verma (DC) vs. Renuka Singh Thakur (GG)

Fire vs. Ice. Shafali wants to hit every ball for six. Renuka wants to hit the top of off-stump. The winner of this duel decides the Powerplay.

2. Jemimah Rodrigues (DC) vs. Ashleigh Gardner (GG)

Captain vs. Vice-Captain (Leader). Jemimah needs to anchor the innings. Gardner will look to tie her down with spin. Jemimah’s use of the sweep shot against Gardner will be critical.

3. Marizanne Kapp (DC) vs. Sophie Devine (GG)

Two legends of the game. When Devine is batting, Kapp will likely be brought into the attack. It’s a battle of experience and ego. Neither will want to back down.

​CHAPTER 6: What Needs to Change for Delhi?

​For Delhi Capitals, the equation is simple: Support the Starters.

In the last game, they showed glimpses of depth, but cricket is a game of partnerships.

  • The Bowling Unit: Nandni Sharma impressed, but she is a rookie. The senior pros like Sneh Rana need to step up. If Delhi concedes 180+ again, their batting will always be under pressure.
  • Captaincy: Jemimah Rodrigues is new to the role. She needs to be proactive, not reactive. Moving fielders, changing bowlers before the batters get set, and keeping the energy high is her responsibility tonight.

​Conclusion: A Thriller Awaits!

​Make no mistake, this is a heavyweight clash.

Gujarat Giants start as favorites simply because they have the "winning feeling" and a balanced attack led by Gardner and Renuka Singh.

However, a wounded Delhi Capitals is a dangerous beast. With the class of Wolvaardt and the power of Shafali, they are just one good partnership away from destroying any bowling attack.

​Will the Giants maintain discipline against a deep Delhi batting lineup? Or will the Capitals storm back to form?

Set your alarms. 7:30 PM. The Orange Army vs. The Blue Brigade. It’s Game On!

Prediction: Gujarat Giants to win a close contest (55% - 45%), unless Shafali Verma plays a blinder.

Read More WPL Cricket News:-

FAQ: WPL Match 4 (DC vs GG)

Q1: What time does the DC vs GG match start?

Ans: The match is scheduled to start at 7:30 PM IST Today.

Q2: Who is the captain of Delhi Capitals?

Ans: Indian star batter Jemimah Rodrigues is leading the Delhi Capitals in the 2026 season.

Q3: Which players are in form for Gujarat Giants?

Ans: Ashleigh Gardner (central to plans), Sophie Devine, and the young Anushka Sharma (who caught the eye on debut) are the players to watch.

Q4: Who are the key foreign players for Delhi Capitals?

Ans: Delhi boasts a powerful overseas contingent including Lizelle Lee (Power hitter), Laura Wolvaardt (Top-class batter), Marizanne Kapp (All-rounder), and Chinelle Henry (Explosive middle order).

Q5: Where can I watch the match live?

Ans: The match will be telecast on Sports18 and streamed live on the JioCinema app.


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