Gujarat Giants will face Delhi Capitals in the Eliminator of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 on February 3, 2026, at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi in Vadodara. This high-stakes knockout clash will determine which team advances to the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on February 5.
Delhi Capitals, the perennial bridesmaids of the WPL, are looking to reach their fourth consecutive final after finishing runners-up in all three previous seasons. Gujarat Giants, under Ashleigh Gardner’s captaincy, are in the Eliminator for the second straight year and are eyeing their maiden WPL final. The Giants have momentum on their side, having beaten Delhi in both their league encounters this season, while DC will rely on their playoff experience.
Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals Match Preview
The Eliminator promises to be a thrilling encounter as both teams fight for a spot in the WPL 2026 final.
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals, Eliminator |
| Date | 03 February 2026 |
| Time | 7:30 PM IST |
| Toss | 7:00 PM IST |
| Venue | BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara |
| Tournament | Women’s Premier League 2026 |
| Stakes | Winner faces RCB in Final (Feb 5) |
Pitch Report
The pitch at BCA Stadium, Kotambi, Vadodara, has been notably slow throughout WPL 2026, making run-scoring challenging. The ball has tended to grip and behave unpredictably, causing difficulties for batters, particularly during chases. Both pacers and spinners have found assistance from the surface.
However, recent reports suggest batting has improved recently, with the BCCI’s head curator overseeing pitch preparation with a directive to produce run-friendly tracks. The average first innings score at this venue in WPL 2026 is around 158 runs. Teams batting first have won five of the nine games in Vadodara this season. Gujarat Giants have an impressive 5-1 win-loss record when batting first this season.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Slow, ball grips, and holds on the surface |
| Average 1st Innings Score | Around 158 in WPL 2026 at this venue |
| Pace vs Spin | Both have been effective; spinners grip the ball |
| Toss Factor | Batting first has been advantageous; the dew factor reduced lately |
| Batting First Win % | 55% (5 out of 9 matches in Vadodara) |
Weather Report
In early February, Vadodara experiences pleasant weather, with daytime temperatures around 30°C. Evening matches see cooler temperatures. Importantly, the late-evening nip in the air has reduced significantly, meaning dew has been far less of a factor in recent matches at this venue. Clear skies are expected, with no rain in the forecast.
| Condition | Details |
|---|---|
| Temperature | Around 25-30°C during evening hours |
| Sky | Clear, no rain expected |
| Humidity | Moderate |
| Dew Factor | Minimal – less impactful than earlier in the tournament |
| Overall | Good conditions for cricket |
Toss Prediction
Given Gujarat Giants’ excellent 5-1 record when batting first this season and the historical trend at Kotambi Stadium favoring teams batting first, the captain winning the toss is likely to choose to bat. The pitch has been slow and difficult to chase on, making setting a target the preferred option. However, with dew becoming less of a factor, both options remain viable.
Injury Updates
Gujarat Giants: No major injury concerns. The squad is at full strength. Sophie Devine has been in sensational all-round form with 237 runs and 17 wickets in the tournament. Georgia Wareham returned to form with 44* off 26 balls and 2-26 in the crucial win against the Mumbai Indians. Captain Ashleigh Gardner continues to lead from the front.
Delhi Capitals: No major injury concerns. The squad appears settled after their must-win victory against UP Warriorz that secured their Eliminator spot. Nandani Sharma (14 wickets) and Shree Charani (14 wickets) have been outstanding with the ball, jointly holding the second-most wickets by an Indian in a single WPL season. Marizanne Kapp (3-30 vs UPW) has been in excellent form.
Dream11 Team For Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals
Gujarat Giants vs Delhi Capitals Head-to-Head Records in WPL
The two teams have met eight times in WPL history, with the head-to-head currently level at 4-4. However, Gujarat Giants have won both encounters against Delhi Capitals this season, giving them a significant psychological advantage heading into the Eliminator.
| Category | Stats |
|---|---|
| Total WPL Meetings | 8 |
| Gujarat Giants Wins | 4 |
| Delhi Capitals Wins | 4 |
| This Season (2026) | Gujarat Giants won both matches |
Last five Matches
- GG Women won by 3 runs 27-Jan-2026
- GG Women won by 4 runs 11-Jan-2026
- GG Women won by 5 wickets (with 3 balls remaining) 07-Mar-2025
- DC Women won by 6 wickets (with 29 balls remaining) 25-Feb-2025
- DC Women won by 7 wickets (with 41 balls remaining) 13-Mar-2024
Suggested Reads:
Top Picks For The Match
| Player | Team | Role | Key Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sophie Devine | GG | All-rounder | Tournament’s leading wicket-taker (17 wickets), 237 runs, including 2 fifties, dominated both matches vs DC |
| Ashleigh Gardner | GG | All-rounder/Captain | 811 WPL career runs (avg 26.16, SR 142), 31 wickets, calm leader |
| Beth Mooney | GG | WK/Batter | 3,381 WT20I runs (SR 125), 718 WPL runs, scored 58 vs DC in last meeting |
| Georgia Wareham | GG | All-rounder | 44* off 26 + 2-26 vs MI, former RCB WPL winner |
| Shafali Verma | DC | Batter | 1,073 WPL career runs, 208 runs this season, most sixes in WPL history |
| Marizanne Kapp | DC | All-rounder | 38 WPL wickets (best 5/15), 10 wickets + 3-30 vs UPW this season |
| Nandani Sharma | DC | Bowler | 14 wickets this season (joint 2nd highest by an Indian), death bowling specialist |
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