A thrilling Women’s Premier League 2026 contest at the BCA Stadium, Kotambi, ended in heartbreak for Delhi Capitals, as they fell just three runs short against Gujarat Giants despite a late surge led by 20-year-old Niki Prasad.
Chasing 175, the Capitals finished on 171 for 8, with Prasad’s fearless 47 off 25 balls nearly scripting a remarkable comeback. Delhi’s chase had unravelled early. The top order struggled to build momentum, and at 100 for 6 the task looked daunting. It was at that juncture that Prasad walked in, carrying the responsibility of reviving the innings under intense pressure. What followed was a display of composure and intent that underlined her growing stature in high-stakes T20 cricket.
Prasad found a willing partner in Sneh Rana, and together they stitched a vital 70-run stand off just 31 deliveries. The partnership transformed the complexion of the chase, swinging belief back in Delhi’s favour and forcing the Giants to rethink their plans in the death overs. Boundaries flowed, the required rate stayed within touching distance, and the contest came down to the final over.
Earlier in the evening, Gujarat Giants had posted 174 for 9 after being put in to bat. Delhi’s bowling effort was led by Shree Charani, whose excellent figures of 4 for 31 ensured the target never ran away. Despite a challenging middle phase, the Capitals regrouped well at the back end to keep the chase alive.
Reflecting on the moment she arrived at the crease, Prasad spoke candidly about the mindset required in such situations. “When I went in, we were definitely in a very tricky situation,” she said. “But in my mind it was clear that if I could stay there and keep the momentum going, we still had a chance. Once Sneh came in and started getting boundaries straight away, it gave me a lot of confidence. We both spoke about keeping that 12-runs-an-over momentum alive.”
The belief during that brief but explosive partnership was evident not just in the scoring rate, but also in the clarity of decision-making. Prasad explained how the duo simplified the chase by focusing on controllables. “From the minute I walked in, I had that belief that we could cross the line. That one over from Sophie Devine where we managed a couple of boundaries really lifted us. From there, our conversation was simple: keep finding boundaries, keep the momentum going, and not let the pressure get to us.”
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A key feature of Prasad’s innings was her shot selection against experienced bowlers operating with well-set fields. She mixed power with placement, using the pace of the ball and the dimensions of the ground to her advantage. “We realised quite early that the bowlers were going a little slower and a little shorter,” she explained. “So I wanted to make sure that whatever contact I made whether in the air or along the ground it went into the gaps. I used my feet, shuffled a bit, and tried to chip it over the fielders because once the ball hit the ground, it was racing away to the boundary.”
Despite the late flourish, Gujarat held their nerve in the final moments. Devine defended eight runs in the last over, and Prasad’s dismissal on the final ball sealed a narrow win for the Giants. The result left Delhi with mixed emotions—pride in the fightback, but disappointment at falling just short.
For Prasad, however, the defeat was framed firmly as a stepping stone rather than a setback. “It is disappointing that we couldn’t cross the line today, especially when we were so close,” she said. “But for me, this is a big learning. These situations are learning moments for me. I will go back, train harder, and make sure that the next time I am in a similar situation, I am able to finish the game for the team.”
She also acknowledged the confidence she draws from the trust placed in her by the franchise and leadership group. “It gives me a lot of confidence knowing that such a big franchise has shown so much faith in me. Coming into the WPL, I was confident and just waiting for that one opportunity to go out and finish a game for Delhi Capitals. Unfortunately, it didn’t happen today, but I will make sure I am ready when the next chance comes.”
Delhi Capitals will now turn their attention to their final league-stage fixture of the Women’s Premier League 2026 against UP Warriorz on Sunday, February 1. While the points table implications remain important, performances like Prasad’s underline a deeper positive for the Capitals the emergence of young Indian talent capable of handling pressure and shaping the future of the league.
