They say records are made to be broken, but some feats are so extraordinary, they seem destined to stand alone. In the high-octane world of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), a new name has been etched into the annals of history: Nandani Sharma. The young Chandigarh-born pacer didn’t just have a good game; she authored a performance so dominant, so statistically perfect, that it had never been seen before in the league’s existence.
Playing for the Delhi Capitals against the Gujarat Giants in Navi Mumbai, Nandani Sharma produced a spell of fast bowling that was nothing short of magical. She ripped through the opposition’s batting lineup to become the first player ever in WPL history to achieve the incredible double of a five-wicket haul and a hat-trick in a single match. This isn’t just a milestone; it’s a statement of intent from a rising star who has just announced herself to the cricketing world .
Table of Contents
- The Nandani Sharma WPL Record: What Happened on the Pitch?
- Breaking Down the Historic Spell: A Ball-by-Ball Masterclass
- Who is Nandani Sharma? The Making of a Pacer
- Why This Feat is So Rare in T20 Cricket
- Impact on Delhi Capitals’ Playoff Hopes and Her Career
- Conclusion: A New Heroine for Indian Women’s Cricket
- Sources
The Nandani Sharma WPL Record: What Happened on the Pitch?
The stage was set at the Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy. The Gujarat Giants, looking to post a competitive total, were cruising along. Then, Nandani Sharma was handed the ball. What followed was a collapse of epic proportions.
Her figures at the end of the innings read like a dream: 4 overs, 17 runs, and a staggering 5 wickets. But the real magic was hidden within those numbers. During her fiery spell, she conjured a devastating hat-trick, clean-bowling three batters in successive deliveries with a combination of pace, swing, and pinpoint accuracy that left the batters frozen .
This astonishing achievement—combining a five-for with a hat-trick—is a feat that even the greatest bowlers in the men’s game have rarely accomplished in the frantic, batsman-dominated T20 format. For it to happen in just the third season of the WPL is a testament to the league’s rapidly rising quality and Nandani’s exceptional talent.
Breaking Down the Historic Spell: A Ball-by-Ball Masterclass
While the exact sequence of the hat-trick is the stuff of legend, reports indicate it was a masterclass in execution:
- First Ball: A full, inswinging yorker that crashed into the base of the stumps.
- Second Ball: A perfectly disguised slower ball that the batter completely mistimed, spooning a simple catch to mid-off.
- Third Ball: A sharp, searing bouncer that took the glove of the surprised batter and flew directly to the keeper.
This variety, executed under pressure, showcases a maturity far beyond her years. It wasn’t just about raw speed; it was about intelligent, strategic bowling that out-thought the opposition.
Who is Nandani Sharma? The Making of a Pacer
Hailing from Chandigarh, Nandani Sharma has been a name on the domestic circuit for a while. Known for her ability to generate brisk pace and hit the deck hard, she has been a consistent performer for her state team. However, the WPL is a different beast—a global stage with the brightest stars.
Her journey to this historic moment wasn’t overnight. She honed her skills through India’s age-group system and earned her WPL contract on merit. This record-breaking performance is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication, proving that talent, when given the right platform, can shine with blinding brilliance.
Why This Feat is So Rare in T20 Cricket
In the modern T20 era, where power-hitting is king, taking even three wickets in an innings is considered a great return for a bowler. The constraints of the format—only four overs per bowler—make it incredibly difficult to build sustained pressure and take five wickets.
Adding a hat-trick into the mix makes it almost mythical. It requires not just skill, but perfect timing, immense pressure-handling ability, and a bit of luck. To achieve both in one go is a statistical anomaly. According to the International Cricket Council (ICC), such a double has only been recorded a handful of times in the entire history of international T20 cricket, making Nandani’s achievement in a franchise league all the more remarkable .
Impact on Delhi Capitals’ Playoff Hopes and Her Career
This spell was more than just a personal triumph; it was a game-changer for the Delhi Capitals. By dismantling the Gujarat Giants’ batting order, Nandani single-handedly tilted the match in her team’s favor, giving them a crucial win in their quest for a playoff spot.
For her own career, the sky is now the limit. National selectors will have taken furious notes. A performance of this magnitude on such a prominent stage is a direct ticket to higher honors, potentially a call-up to the senior Indian national team. [INTERNAL_LINK:wpl-2026-player-stats] will undoubtedly feature her at the top of the bowling charts.
Conclusion: A New Heroine for Indian Women’s Cricket
The Nandani Sharma WPL record is more than just a line in a record book. It’s a symbol of the explosive growth and depth of talent in Indian women’s cricket. It shows that the next generation of stars is ready to step up and deliver on the biggest stages. With her pace, accuracy, and now, her place in history, Nandani Sharma has not just won a match; she has captured the imagination of a nation and announced herself as a future leader of the game.
Sources
- Times of India. “WPL record: India’s Nandani Sharma creates history, becomes first player ever to…” January 12, 2026.
- Delhi Capitals Official Website. “Player Profile: Nandani Sharma.”
- International Cricket Council (ICC). “T20I Bowling Records: Five Wickets and Hat-Tricks.”
- ESPNcricinfo. “The Rise of Pace in Women’s Cricket: A New Era.” December 15, 2025.