Gujarat Giants Seal Record-Breaking Win as Devine Equals Own World Record; Sharma’s Hat-Trick in Vain
Navi Mumbai: On Sunday night, while Michael Bracewell-led New Zealand men’s team suffered defeat against India in the first ODI at Vadodara, New Zealand’s star all-rounder Sophie Devine was busy delivering a match-winning performance for Gujarat Giants (GG) against Delhi Capitals (DC) at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.
The 36-year-old pace-bowling all-rounder smashed a sensational 95 runs off just 42 balls, which included eight sixes and seven fours. She then claimed two wickets for 21 runs and defended six runs in the final over to seal Gujarat’s victory. Devine was adjudged Player of the Match for her outstanding all-round performance.
How did Delhi lose despite big knocks?
Batting first, Gujarat Giants posted a massive total of 209 runs. In reply, Delhi Capitals, led by Jemimah Rodrigues, fought back strongly with Lizelle Lee scoring 86 and Laura Wolvaardt making 77. However, Delhi could only manage 205 runs for the loss of five wickets, falling short by just five runs.
Several new entries in the record books
The combined total of 414 runs in the Gujarat-Delhi match is the second-highest aggregate in the four-year history of the WPL. The highest remains 438 runs in the UP vs Bengaluru match in 2024.
The match witnessed 20 sixes, the second-most in WPL history. The record is 21 sixes in a Gujarat vs UP clash.
Gujarat Giants now hold the record for most sixes by a team in a single WPL match – 13 sixes.
Sophie Devine smashed 32 runs in one over off Delhi spinner Sneh Rana (4, 4, 6, 6, 6, 6). This is the most expensive over in WPL history. Devine also equalled her own world record of scoring 32 runs in an over in women’s T20 cricket.
Devine also equalled her own record of hitting eight sixes in a single WPL match.
Delhi Capitals pacer Nandini Sharma became the fourth bowler to take a hat-trick in WPL history. Earlier, Issy Wong, Deepti Sharma and Grace Harris had achieved this feat.
Like the men’s IPL, the women’s WPL is also growing in popularity. On Thursday, Nandini had taken five wickets for 33 runs, including four wickets in the final over with a hat-trick. She became the seventh bowler to take a five-wicket haul in a WPL match. Among these seven, apart from Nandini, the only other Indian bowler is Asha Shobhana.
However, despite her hat-trick on Sunday, Nandini Sharma’s effort went in vain as Gujarat Giants clinched a thrilling victory.