Delhi Capitals ensured their momentum carries on, by securing their fourth consecutive WPL final appearance with a seven-wicket win over the Gujarat Giants at the Kotambi Stadium. Making a mockery of a 169-run target, Jemimah Rodrigues’ side chased down the total in just 15.4 overs, setting up a blockbuster summit clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday.

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The "ShafaLee" show

While the Giants had successfully defended tight totals against Delhi twice in the league phase, the Eliminator was a different story. Lizelle Lee (43 off 24) and Shafali Verma (31 off 21) effectively dilute the pressure in the first six overs.

1. Renuka Singh’s nightmare: In the fifth over, Lee and Verma combined to cart the Indian seamer for five boundaries, yielding 21 runs.

2. Sealing the momentum: DC blazed to 75/0 in the Powerplay, ensuring the asking rate remained well under control from the outset.

3. The finish: Despite Georgia Wareham removing both openers in the 8th over, a calm 68-run partnership between Jemimah Rodrigues (41) and Laura Wolvaardt (32)* steered Delhi home with 26 balls to spare.

Giants’ early slide and Mooney’s rescue

Earlier, the Giants struggled to find their footing after being put in to bat. Chinelle Henry delivered a masterclass with the new ball, dismissing the impactful Sophie Devine early and finishing with 3/35.

Turning points in the first innings:

• Nandini’s record: Seamer Nandini Sharma removed Anushka Sharma and Ashleigh Gardner off consecutive balls. In doing so, she reached 16 wickets for the season, the most by an Indian in a single WPL edition.

• The Veteran Anchor: Beth Mooney (62 off 51)* batted from the first ball to the last, anchoring the innings from a precarious 59/4 to a competitive 168/7.

• Wareham’s Cameo: Georgia Wareham provided much-needed impetus with a quickfire 35, including the match's first six.

Match statistics: The Eliminator (DC vs. GG)