A quiet moment turned into a defining chapter of the Women’s Premier League (WPL) as Delhi Capitals’ young pacer Nandni Sharma delivered a spell that will be remembered for years to come. In just six balls, the 24-year-old transformed pressure into history, producing a rare hat-trick and a maiden five-wicket haul in WPL 2026.
Playing against Gujarat Giants, Nandni struck gold in the final over of the first innings. Bowling the 20th over, she dismissed Kanika Ahuja, Rajeshwari Gayakwad, and Renuka Singh off the final three deliveries to complete a dramatic hat-trick. The effort not only halted Gujarat’s momentum but also marked a historic milestone for both the player and her franchise.
Nandni finished with outstanding figures of 4 overs, 33 runs, and 5 wickets, becoming the first uncapped player in WPL history to claim a five-wicket haul. She also became the second Indian bowler and the fourth overall to register a hat-trick in the tournament’s history, and notably, the first player from Delhi Capitals to achieve the feat.
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The sequence of wickets showcased her composure and skill. A well-disguised slower ball led to Kanika Ahuja being stumped, Rajeshwari Gayakwad was clean bowled through the middle stump, and Renuka Singh was trapped LBW after misjudging a length delivery. Each dismissal underlined Nandni’s ability to execute under pressure.
Born on 20 September 2001 in Chandigarh, Nandni Sharma has steadily risen through India’s domestic cricket structure. Representing Chandigarh Women and North Zone Women, she built a reputation as a disciplined pace bowler capable of delivering breakthroughs at crucial moments. Her consistent performances in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy 2025 earned her a maiden WPL contract, with Delhi Capitals signing her for ₹20 lakh.
Speaking after the match, Nandni credited her teammates for keeping her calm during the high-pressure over. She highlighted the role played by captain Jemimah Rodrigues and senior player Shafali Verma, who guided her before each delivery. “The plan was simple, attack the stumps and trust the process,” Nandni said, adding that adjusting her line and length after the first over proved crucial.
Her heroics against Gujarat Giants came on the back of another impressive outing in DC’s in the opening match, where she returned figures of 3-0-26-2, removing key batters Gunalan Kamalini and Nicola Carey. With back-to-back impactful performances, Nandni has firmly established herself as one of the standout emerging bowlers of WPL 2026.
As the tournament progresses, the young pacer from Chandigarh has not only delivered match-winning spells but has also announced her arrival on the biggest stage of women’s franchise cricket.
