From a rocky start to a historic haul: Nandni Sharma's WPL heroics

Nandni Sharma's start on Sunday was one to forget. Handed the ball for the third over, she saw Sophie Devine capitalise on fielding errors. The first ball went through hands for four, the next slipped through a diving effort. Devine then clubbed a six, and another fumble conceded an extra run. The over yielded 16 runs, shifting momentum as Delhi Capitals' fielding faltered.

Returning for her second over, with Giants past 120 and Devine nearing a century, Nandni switched tactics. After a couple of short balls, she deployed back-of-the-hand slower deliveries. Devine mistimed a pull to short fine leg, triggering a collapse. Kashvee Gautam holed out to long on, Kanika Ahuja was beaten and stumped by an off-cutter, and Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Renuka Singh were cleaned up in the final over.

In only her second WPL game, Nandni took a fifer and a hat-trick—the fourth bowler to achieve a hat-trick in the league. Her spell restricted Giants to 209, a total skipper Ash Gardner felt was 15 runs short. Delhi Capitals stayed alive until the final delivery, falling short by 4 runs.

Nandni's rise followed an impressive domestic season, taking 13 wickets in 10 games for Chandigarh and India A with an economy under 6. Picked as Delhi Capitals' sole frontline Indian pacer in the mega auction, she filled a void left by experienced options like Shikha Pandey. With Annabel Sutherland absent, the pace attack slimmed to just Marizanne Kapp, Chinelle Henry, and Nandni. She was groomed in pre-tournament camps by bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad to sharpen her skills.

She showed maturity in the opening game, conceding only 18 runs off 16 deliveries after an expensive start, taking two wickets and holding her nerve in the death overs. Coach Jonathan Batty noted she had been on the team's radar, impressing in trials and training.

Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues praised her post-match: "Nandni has been one of our top picks this season. She's a captain's delight. Whatever you ask her to do, she's so accurate. The mindset she has, she's ready to take it on. That's what makes her special."

Nandni is among the rare Indian pacers consistently clocking over 110 kmph. In a spin-dominated landscape, she has excelled with variations, game sense, and composure under pressure. She is the first Indian pacer—and first uncapped international—to take a WPL hat-trick.

Her advice to aspiring fast bowlers: "Never give up in life. There will be times when everything seems bad, you'll want to quit, or face injuries. Fight through those moments and come back. Just never give up."

For Nandni, the start—no matter how rocky—does not define the finish.