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Women’s Premier League (WPL) 2026 witnessed one of the most meteoric rises in cricket history. On a balmy Sunday night at the Dr. DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, an uncapped Indian pacer shook up the league. Nandini Sharmaplaying only his second professional match in the tournament, cast a spell for the ages, etching his name in the record books by claiming a historic hat-trick and five-wicket win against the Giants of Gujarat.
While the high-scoring thriller saw Gujarat Giants take the lead Delhi Capitals by a narrow margin of 4 runs, the headlines belonged to the 24-year-old seamer who single-handedly dismantled a formidable batting line-up in a single bout of madness.
Who is Nandini Sharma?
Nandini is a right-arm fast-medium bowler who has quickly become the new sensation for Delhi Capitals. Born on September 20, 2001 in Chandigarh, she represents the growing talent of Indian domestic cricket. A symbol of perseverance, it is known for its ability to generate significant bounces and extract movement even on unresponsive tracks.
Before her explosive arrival on the WPL scene, Nandini was a consistent performer on the domestic circuit. Her ability to bowl at different phases of the game has made her a favorite among scouts. Today, she is recognized as the first Delhi Capitals player to take a hat-trick in the history of the WPL and the first player in the league to take a total of five wickets and a hat-trick in the same match.
Early life and path to WPL
Nandini’s journey began on the cricket-loving streets of Chandigarh. Growing up in a family that loved the sport, she began playing at a local club at the age of 10. Her discipline and natural athletic ability quickly led her to rise through the ranks, representing Chandigarh Women and finally the North Zone team in interzonal competitions.
His path was not without obstacles. Interestingly, she had earlier attended trials for Gujarat Giants during WPL Season 2 but failed to secure a contract. Rather than getting discouraged, she returned to national work, captaining the Chandigarh senior team in 2025 and making a strong impression at the NCA Emerging Camp in Bengaluru. This resilience finally paid off when she caught the attention of the Delhi Capitals think tank.
Signature of the WPL 2026 auctions and performance on the ground
The WPL 2026 auction proved to be a turning point for the Chandigarh pacer. Delhi Capitals acquired Nandini for its base price of INR 20 Lakh. Even though she was one of the cheaper acquisitions from a star-studded team that included legends like Marizanne Kappits value on the ground has already far exceeded its price.
Nandini made her debut in the first match of the season against Mumbai Indianswhere she showed a glimpse of her potential by rejecting Nicholas Carey And G. Kalimending with the numbers 2/26. However, it was his second outing against Gujarat Giants that cemented his superstar status. In just two matches, she has already risen to the top of the wicketkeeping charts, currently battling for the title. Purple cap with 7 wickets in his bag.
Historic hat-trick against Gujarat Giants
The defining moment of the WPL 2026 season so far happened in the 20th innings of the Gujarat Giants. The Giants were headed for a massive total, powered by Sophie DevineThe score was 95. Nandini, who had earlier taken the crucial wicket of Devine, was handed the final over by the captain. Rodrogue.
What followed was pure cricket theater. After a few quiet dances, Nandini launched into a death bowling masterclass:
- Third ball: She sent back Kashvee Gautam to trigger the collapse.
- Fourth ball: A trick, slower ball tricked Kanika Ahujawho was perplexed as he attempted a big move.
- Fifth ball (Hat-trick): She cleaned Rajeshwari Gayakwad with a delivery that shattered middle stump.
- Sixth ball: For good measure, she trapped Renuka Singh Thakur LBW, completing a rare ‘four wickets in five balls’ sequence.
She finished with stunning figures of 5/33, making her only the fourth bowler in WPL history to win a hat-trick, joining the elite company of Issy Wong, Deepti SharmaAnd Grace Harris.
ALSO WATCH: Nandini Sharma scores sensational hat-trick in WPL 2026
This article was first published on WomenCricket.comA Cricket Schedules business.
