Delhi Capitals fast bowler Nandani Sharma said her maiden Women’s Premier League hat-trick was the fulfilment of a long-held dream, even though it came in a losing cause against Gujarat Giants on Sunday.
Nandani finished with outstanding figures of 5 for 33, including a hat-trick in the final over, but Sophie Devine’s all-round brilliance helped Gujarat Giants clinch a dramatic four-run win off the last ball.
“My dream has come true. To see people watching me, talking about me, even seeing me on Instagram, it’s a very big thing for me. I feel very proud.”she said
“This is only my second match, so don’t ask very difficult questions,” Nandani said with a smile at the post-match press conference.
The young pacer credited her development to years of hard work, changes in coaching, and strong family support.
“I used to practice with a coach who taught me bouncers, then after the lockdown I changed my coach and started playing with boys,” she said. “They used to hit the ball very easily, so I wanted to bowl faster and learn variations. Recently, I have been practising with my parents and my brother. They gave me a lot of time and taught me everything.”
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Nandani said her cricket journey began at the age of eight, though opportunities were initially limited.
“When I first went to the academy, they didn’t give me much priority because I was very young,” she said. “I stopped bowling for some time, but after six months I started again. I never gave up.”
Despite being taken apart early by Devine, Nandani said she stuck to her plans after advice from senior teammates.
“We had planned, but Sophie was hitting everywhere,” she said. “Jemimah told me to keep it simple, focus on my stock ball and try my variations when possible. That helped.”
Nandani also praised the support she has received within the Delhi Capitals setup.
“The staff, they make me feel very comfortable,” she said. “They told me they would back me no matter what. DC picked me, and I wanted to do something for DC. My celebration was for DC.”
Asked about her mindset bowling to international batters, Nandani said the experience had accelerated her growth.
“They are international players. Sometimes they hit good balls,” she said. “I have learned to bowl according to the batter and developed many skills.”
Reflecting on her journey, Nandani had a simple message for aspiring fast bowlers.
“Don’t give up in life,” she said. “There will be times when everything goes wrong, when you get injured or stop bowling. You have to fight and come back. Never give up.”
Published on Jan 12, 2026
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