Sophie Devine led Gujarat Giants to an exciting four-run victory off the final ball over Delhi Capitals with a stunning 95 and a great final over under pressure, defying Nandini Sharma’s first hat-trick in a Women’s Premier League encounter in Navi Mumbai on Sunday.
DC suffered their second defeat, while the Gujarat Giants won their second straight game.
With Beth Mooney (19) setting the stage, Giants opener Devine added 94 runs for the opening wicket in her 42-ball innings, smashing 7 fours and 8 sixes.
With a quick 49 off 26 balls, captain Ashleigh Gardner maintained the momentum, but Nandini’s outstanding figures of 5 for 33, including a hat-trick, reversed the tide as Gujarat were bowled out for 209.
With 12 fours and three sixes, starter Lizelle Lee scored an incredible 86 from 54 balls while chasing a stiff target. To keep Delhi firmly in the chase, she scored 41 runs with Shafali Verma (14) and then 90 off 55 balls with Laura Wolvaardt (77 off 38).
Rajeshwari Gayakwad dismissed Chinelle Henry (7) in the 15th over after Lee was removed by Kashvee Gautam (1/48), leaving Delhi at 146 for three.
Wolvaardt and captain Jemimah Rodrigues (15), who needed 64 off the last 25 balls, combined to score 58 runs in 23 balls, reducing the equation to seven needed off the last five deliveries.
Devine then came back into the forefront, securing a thrilling victory by dismissing both batters and giving up just two runs in the last over.
Before smashing two fours and a six in the fourth over by Nandini, Devine had earlier set the tone by hitting three fours off Chinelle Henry. With two fours and four consecutive sixes in an over that produced 32 runs and propelled Gujarat Giants to 80 without loss in the powerplay, she was especially harsh on Sneh Rana.
Before Shree Charani broke the opening partnership with a brilliant caught-and-bowled effort in the ninth over to dismiss Mooney, the New Zealander reached her half-century in just 25 balls. After momentarily regaining control and hammering Charani for three sixes, Devine was dismissed by Nandini Sharma in the eleventh over.
With a quick 49 off 26 balls, captain Ashleigh Gardner kept the Gujarat Giants on course, hitting three sixes and four boundaries to push the team above the 200-mark. Georgia Wareham (3) was dismissed by Jemimah Rodrigues’ skillful catch, and Gardner and Bharti Fulmali (3) were ousted by Henry.
Nandini then completed her first hat-trick, taking four wickets in the last over, including three off the final three balls, to finish off an incredible performance.
