Delhi Capitals delivered a commanding all-round performance to continue their remarkable consistency in the Women’s Premier League, sealing a place in their fourth consecutive final with a comprehensive seven-wicket win over Gujarat Giants in the Eliminator on Tuesday.

Opting to bowl first, Delhi’s disciplined attack restricted Gujarat to 168 for seven before a blistering opening stand from Shafali Verma and Lizelle Lee made light work of the chase, which was completed in just 15.4 overs.

Delhi got off to a flying start as Verma (31 off 21) and Lee (43 off 24) took full advantage of the powerplay, peppering the boundary with ease. The duo smashed 15 fours and a six during their 89-run opening stand, putting Gujarat under immediate pressure and threatening to turn the contest into a one-sided affair.

Gujarat briefly clawed their way back when leg-spinner Georgia Wareham (2/28) removed both openers in the same over. However, the breakthrough proved little more than a hiccup as Laura Wolvaardt (32 not out) and skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (41) steadied the innings with maturity and intent.

After taking time to settle, the pair shifted gears smoothly, finding the boundary regularly to keep the chase firmly on course. Veteran all-rounder Marizanne Kapp eventually struck the winning runs, sending Delhi into the final, where they will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Thursday.

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Earlier, Gujarat Giants leaned heavily on Beth Mooney’s composed unbeaten half-century to post a competitive total. The Australian opener scored 62 not out off 51 balls, striking six boundaries while anchoring the innings after Gujarat were rocked early.

Mooney received valuable support from Wareham (35) in a brisk 61-run stand for the fifth wicket, before adding another 39 runs with Kashvee Gautam (18) to push the Giants past 160.

Delhi struck early through Chinelle Henry (3/35), who dismissed Sophie Devine, before Nandini Sharma (2/44) turned the game on its head with two wickets off her first two deliveries. She first removed Anushka Sharma and then sent skipper Ashleigh Gardner back for a golden duck.

The introduction of spinners Minnu Mani (1/23) and Sneh Rana (0/3) tightened the screws, with Mani dismissing Kanika Ahuja to leave Gujarat struggling. Wareham counter-attacked with three fours and a six, but Henry returned to dismiss both Wareham and Bharti Fulmali in the same over.

Gujarat recovered late through Mooney and Kashvee, scoring 103 runs in the final 10 overs, but the total proved insufficient against a dominant Delhi side.

(By PTI Inputs)