In a heart-stopping Women's Premier League encounter on Sunday, the Gujarat Giants clinched a nail-biting four-run victory off the very last ball against the Delhi Capitals. The hero of the hour was New Zealand's Sophie Devine, whose breathtaking 95-run knock was followed by a superb, pressure-cooking final over that sealed a memorable win for her side.
Devine's Powerplay Blitz Sets Record Total
Sent in to bat first, Gujarat Giants were propelled by a ferocious start from opener Sophie Devine. She took charge from the outset, striking three fours off Chinelle Henry before dismantling Nandini Sharma in the fourth over. The assault continued against Sneh Rana, whom Devine hammered for two fours and four consecutive sixes in a single over that yielded a massive 32 runs. This explosive batting powered the Giants to a formidable 80 for no loss at the end of the powerplay.
Devine brought up her half-century in just 25 balls and shared a dominant 94-run opening stand with Beth Mooney (19). Even after Mooney's dismissal, Devine continued her onslaught, hitting Shree Charani for three sixes before finally falling for a spectacular 95 off just 42 deliveries, an innings decorated with seven fours and eight sixes.
Nandini's Hat-Trick & Delhi's Spirited Chase
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner kept the momentum going with a brisk 49 off 26 balls, ensuring the Giants posted a challenging total. However, the innings concluded in dramatic fashion as Delhi's Nandini Sharma produced a remarkable spell. Nandini finished with excellent figures of 5 for 33, claiming a maiden hat-trick by taking four wickets in the final over, including three off the last three balls, to bowl Gujarat out for 209.
In response, Delhi Capitals' chase was built around a scintillating 86 off 54 balls from opener Lizelle Lee, who hit 12 fours and three sixes. She first added 41 with Shafali Verma (14) and then stitched a crucial 90-run partnership with the in-form Laura Wolvaardt, who smashed a quickfire 77 off just 38 deliveries. This kept Delhi firmly in the hunt for the stiff target of 210.
The Dramatic Finale
After Lee's dismissal in the 15th over, Delhi needed 64 from the last 25 balls. Skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (15) then joined Wolvaardt, and the pair plundered 58 runs in 23 balls to bring the equation down to a very gettable seven runs required from the final five deliveries.
With the game hanging in the balance, Sophie Devine returned to the spotlight with the ball. Under immense pressure, she delivered a superb final over, dismissing both set batters—Wolvaardt and Rodrigues—and conceding just two runs. Her all-round brilliance secured a thrilling four-run win for the Gujarat Giants, their second consecutive victory in the tournament, while the Delhi Capitals slipped to their second loss.
This match will be remembered for the contrasting brilliance of two players: Sophie Devine's match-defining all-round performance and Nandini Sharma's valiant hat-trick, which ultimately ended on the losing side.
