NAVI MUMBAI, Jan 11 – Local girl Nandini Sharma became the first Delhi Capitals bowler to claim a hat-trick in the Women’s Premier League on Sunday, turning the game on its head with a sensational five-wicket haul against Gujarat Giants.
The 24-year-old from Chandigarh produced a magical 20th over at the DY Patil Stadium, dismissing Kanika Ahuja, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Renuka Singh off the final three deliveries of the innings. Her clinical accuracy halted a high-scoring Giants lineup that seemed destined for a massive total, eventually folding for 209.
“I honestly didn’t expect the hat-trick. I just wanted to bowl full and straight to keep the runs down in the final over,” Nandini said following her record-breaking spell. Her figures of 5/33 represent a historic milestone, making her the first player in the tournament’s history to record both a five-for and a hat-trick in the same match.
The match initially belonged to New Zealand veteran Sophie Devine, who blazed a 42-ball 95, including eight towering sixes. Devine’s opening stand of 94 with Beth Mooney set a frantic pace, but the Capitals’ bowlers clawed back through Shree Charani, who broke the partnership.
Nandini’s performance is a major breakthrough for the pacer, who was signed for Rs 20 lakh in the auction. Her ability to extract bounce and movement has long been noted in the Chandigarh domestic circuit, but this performance on the global stage has firmly established her as a rising star for the national side.
