Nandani Sharma’s Last-Over Hat-Trick Steals the Show as Gujarat Giants Post 209 Against Delhi Capitals in WPL 2026

Navi Mumbai, Jan 2026 : Sophie Devine blazed an electrifying 42-ball 95 and Ashleigh Gardner slammed 49 off 26 balls, but it was Delhi Capitals’ uncapped medium pacer Nandani Sharma who stole the limelight in a dramatic turn of events, claiming her maiden five-wicket haul—including a last-over hat-trick—to dismiss Gujarat Giants for 209 in Match 4 of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 at the DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai, on Sunday.

Devine set the tone with her sublime hitting, racing to a fifty off just 25 balls, while Gardner provided a late flourish, keeping Gujarat Giants in a strong position. However, the drama peaked in the final over when Nandani Sharma produced a magical spell, taking four wickets including three off consecutive deliveries to record a historic hat-trick, pulling Delhi Capitals back into contention.

Sharma finished with figures of 5-33, while Shree Charani and Chinelle Henry chipped in with two wickets each, effectively curbing Gujarat Giants’ late momentum.

Opting to bowl first, DC skipper Jemimah Rodrigues watched as Gujarat Giants began their innings in explosive fashion. Sophie Devine and Beth Mooney put on a scintillating 94-run opening stand in just eight overs. Mooney contributed a quickfire 19 off 16 balls, but it was Devine who dominated proceedings with a mix of power and precision, delivering one of her most memorable knocks.

From the second over, Devine was unstoppable. She began with a four off Chinelle Henry and ended the over with another boundary through the slips. Nandani Sharma was also taken to the cleaners, with Devine striking back-to-back fours and clearing the boundary for her first six. She then faced Sneh Rana and produced a devastating 32-run over, hitting two fours and four sixes, bringing up her fifty off 25 balls.

In that over, Devine displayed a combination of timing and power: a four off the first ball, a dropped catch on the second, followed by a series of sixes over long-on, cow corner, and deep mid-wicket. Her fearless approach allowed her to dominate the bowlers, eventually falling just five runs short of a century, dismissed for 95 off 42 balls by Shree Charani off Nandani Sharma. Devine’s previous WPL high is 99 not out from the inaugural season.

After the initial onslaught, Delhi Capitals made inroads as Georgia Wareham (3), Anushka Sharma (13), and Bharti Fulmali (3) failed to provide resistance. Nevertheless, Ashleigh Gardner’s 49 off 26 balls—featuring four boundaries and three sixes—ensured Gujarat Giants posted a competitive total of 209.

The defining moment of the match came in the final over. Nandani Sharma etched her name in WPL history by taking a hat-trick, dismissing Kanika Ahuja (4), Rajeshwari Gayakwad (0), and Renuka Singh (0) off consecutive deliveries. She joined an elite list of WPL hat-trick heroes, including Issy Wong, Deepti Sharma, and Grace Harris.

Earlier in her spell, Sharma had claimed the vital wickets of Sophie Devine and Kashvee Gautam (14), completing her four-over haul of 5-33. At just 24, the Chandigarh medium pacer became the first uncapped bowler in WPL history to achieve a hat-trick and record a five-wicket haul in the same match—a remarkable feat that swung the match in Delhi Capitals’ favor.

The performance highlighted the unpredictability and excitement of the WPL, showcasing the ability of young, uncapped talent to turn games on their head. Gujarat Giants’ innings, despite the individual brilliance of Devine and Gardner, ended in dramatic fashion, underscoring the value of timely breakthroughs in T20 cricket.

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) vs Delhi Capitals.

Nandani Sharma’s historic performance not only rewrote WPL records but also ensured that Delhi Capitals finished the day with renewed hope, setting the stage for a thrilling contest in the next phase of the tournament.