Nandani Sharma: WPL’s Rising Star and Historical Performance

Introduction to Nandani Sharma

NEW DELHI: A fresh talent has emerged in the Women’s Premier League (WPL)—Nandani Sharma. This young fast bowler from Chandigarh shocked the cricketing world with her phenomenal performance in a recent match.

Record-Breaking Performance

On Sunday night, Nandani faced off against the Gujarat Giants while representing the Delhi Capitals in Match 4. Her remarkable bowling spell of 5 wickets for 33 runs created history, making her the first player in WPL history to achieve both five wickets and a hat-trick in the same match. This achievement left fans and cricket experts in awe.

Game-Changing Spell

Nandani’s game-changing spell came at a pivotal moment. She executed a hat-trick within a single over, meticulously eliminating players from the middle and lower order of the Gujarat Giants. Her precision and pace disrupted the Giants’ momentum, leading to mounting pressure on the batsmen with each delivery.

By the conclusion of her spell, the Delhi Capitals’ bowling attack, bolstered by Nandani’s skill, left the Gujarat Giants struggling to recover. The stadium erupted with cheers as she claimed each wicket.

Nandani’s Reflections on Her Performance

In a mid-innings break, Nandani shared her thoughts on the match, saying, "I wanted to just bowl at my target. They (Shafali and Jemi) were talking to me every ball, and that was my plan (to bowl at the stumps). I did not expect it (a hat-trick), but the team told me I could get wickets."

She also mentioned, "After my first over, I noticed that they were hitting my stock ball well. After that, I bowled my variations, and thankfully, it worked."

Nandani Sharma’s Journey

Nandani Sharma was born on September 20, 2001, in Chandigarh, making her 24 years old. As a right-arm fast-medium bowler, she is known for her bounce and movement with the new ball, earning high praise from coaches throughout her career.

Her cricketing journey was gradual. She previously played for Chandigarh Women and represented the North Zone as well as India B. In 2025, she captained Chandigarh’s senior team and made a significant impression at the NCA Emerging Camp, catching the attention of WPL scouts.

Signing with Delhi Capitals

At the 2026 auction, Delhi Capitals secured Nandani’s talent for Rs 20 lakh. Her pace was immediately notable, and she made her WPL debut just a day earlier against the Mumbai Indians, taking two wickets in that match, including that of Nicola Carey. However, her standout performance against the Gujarat Giants truly marked her presence in the league.

Conclusion: Rising Star of Indian Women’s Cricket

This extraordinary spell has established Nandani Sharma as a star to watch in Indian women’s cricket. Batters will certainly be more cautious approaching her in upcoming matches, as the league may have uncovered its next fast-bowling sensation.