Nandani Sharma's Historic Hat-Trick Shines in WPL 2026 Match
Thrilling Encounter at WPL 2026
Navi Mumbai: In a spectacular display of cricket, Sophie Devine scored an impressive 95 runs off just 42 balls, while Ashleigh Gardner contributed 49 runs from 26 balls. However, it was Nandani Sharma, an uncapped medium pacer for Delhi Capitals, who stole the spotlight by achieving her first five-wicket haul, including a remarkable hat-trick in the final over, leading to Gujarat Giants being bowled out for 209 during Match 4 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at DY Patil Stadium on Sunday.
Devine set the stage ablaze with her explosive batting, reaching her fifty in just 25 balls, while Gardner added crucial runs towards the end. Nandani Sharma's final over was nothing short of magical, as she claimed four wickets, including a hat-trick with the last three deliveries, turning the tide for Delhi Capitals.
Sharma's figures of 5-33 marked her first five-wicket haul, while Shree Charani and Chinelle Henry each took two wickets, effectively stifling the Gujarat Giants' innings.
After being invited to bat first by Delhi Capitals' captain Jemimah Rodrigues, Gujarat Giants started strong with a 94-run opening partnership between Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney in just eight overs. Mooney contributed 19 runs off 16 balls, but it was Devine's exceptional performance that stood out.
Devine dominated the bowlers, beginning with a four off Chinelle Henry's first delivery in the second over and finishing the over with another boundary. She continued her onslaught against Nandani Sharma, hitting back-to-back fours and launching a six over the boundary.
The most expensive over came from Sneh Rana, where Devine scored 32 runs, including two fours and four sixes, racing to her fifty in just 25 balls.
Devine's aggressive batting included a series of sixes, and she fell just short of a century, getting out for 95 runs, caught by Shree Charani off Nandani Sharma. Her highest score in WPL remains 99 not out from the inaugural season.
Delhi Capitals managed to regain some control as Georgia Wareham (3), Anushka Sharma (13), and Bharti Fulmali (3) struggled to contribute significantly. Nevertheless, Ashleigh Gardner's late innings of 49 runs off 26 balls, featuring four boundaries and three sixes, provided a much-needed boost.
The match took another turn as Nandani Sharma made history by becoming the fourth bowler to achieve a hat-trick in WPL. She dismissed Kanika Ahuja (4), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (0), and Renuka Singh (0) in a dramatic last over, joining the ranks of Issy Wong, Deepti Sharma, and Grace Harris.
Earlier, she had also taken the vital wickets of Gardner and Kashvee Gautam (14), concluding her spell with remarkable figures of 5-33. The 24-year-old from Chandigarh made history as the first uncapped bowler to achieve a hat-trick in WPL.
Brief scores:
Gujarat Giants 209 all out in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 95, Ashleigh Gardner 49; Nandani Sharma 5-33, Shree Charani 2-42, Chinelle Henry 2-43) against Delhi Capitals.