WPL 2026: Jemimah Rodrigues Wins Toss as Delhi Capitals Bowl First Against Gujarat Giants; Wyatt-Hodge Misses Out Due to Illness

In a pivotal Women's Premier League 2026 clash at Vadodara, Delhi Capitals captain Jemimah Rodrigues won the toss and made the strategic decision to bowl first against Ashleigh Gardner's Gujarat Giants.

Toss Decision and Pitch Assessment

Rodrigues assessed the playing surface carefully before making her call. According to the Delhi Capitals skipper, the pitch looked "a lot harder" than expected, suggesting the ball would come onto the bat more easily. With dew not yet a factor but anticipated to make batting easier in the second innings, Rodrigues backed her bowlers to exploit the conditions first up.

Ashleigh Gardner, leading the Giants, revealed her side would have batted first regardless, indicating both captains recognized the value of setting a target at this venue.

Gujarat Giants Make Two Key Changes

The Giants were forced into squad adjustments ahead of this crucial fixture. Opening batter Danni Wyatt-Hodge has been ruled out due to illness, a significant blow given her importance at the top of the order. In her place, Australian legspinner Georgia Wareham comes into the playing XI, adding depth to the Giants' spin arsenal.

Additionally, left-arm spinner Tanuja Kanwar returns to the side after missing the previous encounter, replacing fast bowler Happy Kumari. This double change shifts the Giants' bowling composition notably towards spin.

High Stakes for Both Teams

This match carries enormous playoff implications for both franchises. Delhi Capitals and Gujarat Giants enter this contest locked on six points each from six games. The Capitals currently hold third position courtesy of a superior net run rate.

A victory for either side will significantly ease their path to the playoffs, while the losing team will find themselves in a precarious position, potentially requiring favorable results elsewhere and net-run-rate calculations to advance.

Playing XIs

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

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

Key Battles to Watch

With both teams boasting strong international talent, several matchups promise intrigue. The Capitals' formidable top order featuring Shafali Verma, Laura Wolvaardt, and Lizelle Lee will be tested by Renuka Singh and the spin duo of Tanuja Kanwar and Rajeshwari Gayakwad.

For the Giants, Beth Mooney and Sophie Devine will need to provide a solid platform, especially with Wyatt-Hodge absent from the lineup.

Looking Ahead

This encounter could prove decisive in determining the final playoff picture for WPL 2026. Both teams possess the quality to go deep in the tournament, making every point crucial at this stage. The winner will take a commanding position in the race for the knockouts, while the loser faces an anxious wait as remaining fixtures unfold.