In a nail-biting Women’s Premier League clash on Sunday, Sophie Devine’s remarkable performance overshadowed Nandini Sharma’s maiden hat-trick, leading the Gujarat Giants to a thrilling four-run victory over the Delhi Capitals. This match marked Gujarat’s second consecutive win, while Delhi suffered their second defeat.
After being put to bat first, Devine dazzled with a stunning 95 runs off just 42 balls, including seven fours and eight sixes. Her explosive partnership with Beth Mooney (19) yielded 94 runs for the opening wicket, establishing a solid foundation for the Giants.
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner contributed a quick-fire 49 off 26 deliveries, but Nandini Sharma turned the tide with exceptional bowling figures of 5 for 33, including a dramatic hat-trick, as Gujarat was bowled out for 209 runs.
In response, Lizelle Lee shone for Delhi, scoring a brilliant 86 off 54 balls, filled with 12 boundaries and three sixes. She formed a crucial 90-run partnership with Laura Wolvaardt, who made 77 off 38 balls, keeping Delhi in contention.
After Lee was dismissed in the 15th over by Kashvee Gautam, Delhi needed 64 runs off the last 25 balls. Jemimah Rodrigues (15) joined Wolvaardt, and together they managed to score 58 runs in just 23 balls, bringing the target down to seven runs off the final five balls.
However, Devine made a stunning return, claiming both wickets in the last over while conceding just two runs, sealing a thrilling victory for Gujarat.
Earlier in the match, Devine set the tone by attacking the bowlers aggressively, scoring her half-century in a mere 25 balls. After briefly losing momentum following Mooney’s dismissal, she regained control, hitting Charani for three consecutive sixes before being dismissed by Nandini Sharma in the 11th over.
Gardner’s quick runs took the Giants past the 200-run mark, while Nandini capped off her impressive performance by taking four wickets in the final over, completing her first-ever hat-trick.
**Brief Scores:** Gujarat Giants 209 all out in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 95, Ashleigh Gardner 49; Nandini Sharma 5-33, Shree Charani 2-42, Chinelle Henry 2-43) beat Delhi Capitals 205/5 in 20 overs (Lizelle Lee 85, Laura Wolvaardt 77; Sophie Devine 2-21, Rajeshwari Gayakwad 2-34) by 4 runs.