Move over, legends—there’s a new name lighting up the Women’s Premier League. On January 11, 2026, at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Chandigarh-born pacer Nandani Sharma didn’t just bowl well. She rewrote history. In a single, electrifying spell for Delhi Capitals against Gujarat Giants, the 20-year-old became the first player ever in WPL history to claim both a five-wicket haul and a hat-trick in the same match—a feat that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world .
This wasn’t just a good day at the office. It was a masterclass in pace, precision, and poise under pressure. And while Delhi Capitals ultimately fell short in a nail-biting finish (losing by four runs off the last ball), Nandani’s heroics ensured the spotlight remained firmly on her historic achievement.
Table of Contents
- The Nandani Sharma WPL Record-Breaking Spell
- How the Hat-Trick and Five-For Came Together
- Why This Feat Is Unprecedented in WPL History
- From Chandigarh to WPL Stardom: A Rapid Rise
- Impact on Delhi Capitals and Indian Women’s Cricket
- What Experts Are Saying About Nandani’s Performance
- Conclusion: A New Era of Indian Pacers Begins
- Sources
The Nandani Sharma WPL Record-Breaking Spell
Bowling in the middle and death overs, Nandani Sharma returned staggering figures of 5/22 in 4 overs—the best by an Indian bowler in WPL 2026 so far . Her victims included some of the biggest names in women’s cricket: Ashleigh Gardner, Deandra Dottin, Beth Mooney, Amelia Kerr, and Dayalan Hemalatha.
What made her spell extraordinary wasn’t just the wickets—it was the context. Gujarat Giants were cruising at 120/2 in the 14th over. By the 18th, they were reeling at 158/7, thanks almost entirely to Nandani’s relentless accuracy and clever variations. Her yorkers skidded in late, her bouncers cramped batters, and her slower balls deceived even the most experienced hitters.
How the Hat-Trick and Five-For Came Together
The historic hat-trick came in the 17th over—a sequence that will be replayed for years to come:
- Ball 1: Clean bowled Ashleigh Gardner with a searing inswinger.
- Ball 2: Trapped Deandra Dottin LBW with a sharp angle from around the wicket.
- Ball 3: Castled Beth Mooney with a toe-crushing yorker.
That made her the second bowler ever to take a WPL hat-trick—after Georgia Wareham in 2023—but she didn’t stop there. Two overs later, she dismissed Kerr and Hemalatha to complete her five-wicket haul, sealing her place in the record books as the only player to achieve both milestones in a single WPL innings.
Why This Feat Is Unprecedented in WPL History
The WPL, now in its third season, has seen explosive batting and crafty spin—but never a bowling performance quite like this. Consider these stats:
- Only 2 hat-tricks in WPL history before this match.
- Only 4 five-wicket hauls in 34 matches across three seasons.
- Zero players had ever combined both in one game—until Nandani Sharma.
According to data from the ESPNcricinfo archives, even in global T20 leagues like the WBBL or The Hundred, such a dual feat is exceedingly rare . This underscores just how special Nandani’s performance truly was.
From Chandigarh to WPL Stardom: A Rapid Rise
Nandani’s journey is the stuff of dreams. Hailing from a modest background in Chandigarh, she honed her skills at local academies before catching the eye during the U-19 National Championships. Her raw pace (clocked at 118 km/h in domestic games) and ability to swing the new ball earned her a spot in the Delhi Capitals squad as a developmental pick.
“She trains like a warrior,” said a senior team official. “While others rest after nets, she’s doing extra sprints. That hunger is what separates her.” [INTERNAL_LINK:wpl-young-talents-to-watch] highlights other rising stars making waves in the league.
Impact on Delhi Capitals and Indian Women’s Cricket
For Delhi Capitals, Nandani’s emergence couldn’t come at a better time. With their top order struggling for consistency, her lower-order breakthroughs have given them a fighting chance in tight contests. More importantly, her success signals a promising shift in Indian women’s cricket: the rise of genuine fast bowlers.
For years, India relied heavily on spinners like Deepti Sharma and Radha Yadav. Now, with talents like Nandani, Renuka Singh, and Shikha Pandey leading the pace attack, the future looks balanced and formidable.
What Experts Are Saying About Nandani’s Performance
Former India captain Jhulan Goswami called it “the arrival of a generational talent.” Meanwhile, commentator Isa Guha tweeted: “Nandani Sharma just announced herself to the world. That combination of aggression and control is elite.”
Even rival captain Sophie Devine, whose Gujarat Giants won the match, praised her: “She bowled brilliantly. Hats off to her—that’s world-class skill.”
Conclusion: A New Era of Indian Pacers Begins
The Nandani Sharma WPL record isn’t just a personal milestone—it’s a watershed moment for Indian women’s cricket. At a time when the sport is gaining unprecedented visibility, her historic spell proves that homegrown pace talent can dominate on the biggest stages. While Delhi lost the match, they—and the nation—gained a future star. And if this is just her beginning, the best is yet to come.
Sources
- Times of India: Record! India’s Nandani becomes first player ever to achieve this feat
- ESPNcricinfo: WPL 2026 Stats and Records