Devine’s all-round heroics sink Delhi as Gujarat Giants win thriller

Sophie Devine produced a commanding all-round performance to overshadow Nandini Sharma’s maiden hat-trick as Gujarat Giants edged out Delhi Capitals by four runs in a pulsating Women’s Premier League contest here on Sunday.

Devine smashed a breathtaking 95 at the top of the order and then delivered a nerveless final over, conceding just two runs and taking two wickets, to seal Gujarat’s second successive win. Despite Nandini’s remarkable five-wicket haul, Delhi slipped to their second defeat of the season after falling agonisingly short in a high-scoring thriller decided off the last ball.

Sent in to bat, Gujarat Giants were given a flying start by Devine, who dominated the powerplay with clean and fearless hitting. She struck seven fours and eight sixes in her 42-ball knock and added 94 runs for the opening wicket with Beth Mooney (19), setting the tone for a big total.

Devine was particularly severe on Sneh Rana, plundering 32 runs in one over that included four consecutive sixes, as Gujarat raced to 80 without loss in the powerplay. The New Zealander brought up her half-century in just 25 balls before Shree Charani broke the opening stand by removing Mooney in the ninth over.

Devine continued her assault briefly but was finally bowled by Nandini Sharma in the 11th over. Skipper Ashleigh Gardner then ensured Gujarat maintained the momentum, hammering a brisk 49 off 26 balls with four fours and three sixes. However, Nandini turned the game on its head with a sensational spell, finishing with figures of 5 for 33, including four wickets in the final over and a hat-trick off the last three balls, as Gujarat were bowled out for 209.

Chasing a stiff target, Delhi Capitals stayed in the hunt through a fluent 86 off 54 balls from Lizelle Lee, who shared key partnerships with Shafali Verma (14) and Laura Wolvaardt. Wolvaardt played a superb counter-attacking innings of 77 off 38 balls, keeping Delhi alive deep into the chase.

After Lee was dismissed in the 15th over, Delhi needed 64 from the final 25 balls. Wolvaardt and skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (15) added 58 runs in 23 deliveries to reduce the equation to seven off the last five balls.

With the match on a knife-edge, Devine returned for the final over and rose to the occasion, dismissing both set batters and holding her nerve to guide Gujarat Giants to a dramatic four-run victory.

Brief Scoreboard

Gujarat Giants : 209 all out (20 overs)

Sophie Devine 95 (42b), Ashleigh Gardner 49 (26b), Beth Mooney 19

Nandini Sharma 5/33

Delhi Capitals : 205/6 (20 overs)

Lizelle Lee 86 (54b), Laura Wolvaardt 77 (38b), Jemimah Rodrigues 15

Sophie Devine 2 wickets (final over)

Result : Gujarat Giants won by 4 runs