NEW DELHI: Nandini Sharma’s maiden hat trick proved futile as Sophie Devine produced a stunning all round effort, smashing a brilliant 95 and then bowling a nerveless final over to guide Gujarat Giants to a thrilling four run win off the last ball against Delhi Capitals in a Women’s Premier League match on Sunday.

It was Gujarat Giants’ second consecutive win, while Delhi Capitals suffered their second defeat of the season.

Asked to bat first, Giants opener Devine went on a rampage, hammering seven fours and eight sixes in a 42 ball knock. She added 94 runs for the opening wicket with Beth Mooney (19) to give Gujarat a flying start.

Captain Ashleigh Gardner maintained the momentum with a quickfire 49 off 26 balls, but Nandini swung the game back with sensational figures of five for 33, including a hat trick, as Gujarat were bowled out for 209.

In reply, opener Lizelle Lee played a sparkling knock of 86 off 54 balls, laced with 12 fours and three sixes. She put on 41 runs with Shafali Verma (14) before adding a crucial 90 run stand off 55 balls with Laura Wolvaardt (77 off 38) to keep Delhi well in the chase.

After Lee was removed by Kashvee Gautam (1/48) in the 15th over, Rajeshwari Gayakwad dismissed Chinelle Henry (7), leaving Delhi at 146 for three.

With 64 needed from the final 25 balls, skipper Jemimah Rodrigues (15) joined Wolvaardt and the duo smashed 58 runs in 23 balls, reducing the requirement to seven off the last five deliveries.

Devine then stepped up under pressure, removing both batters and giving away just two runs in the final over to seal a dramatic victory.

Earlier, Devine set the tone from the outset, striking three fours off Chinelle Henry before taking Nandini apart with two fours and a six in the fourth over. She was especially brutal against Sneh Rana, smashing two fours and four consecutive sixes in a 32 run over that powered Gujarat to 80 without loss in the powerplay.

The New Zealander raced to her half century in just 25 balls before Shree Charani broke the opening stand with a sharp caught and bowled effort in the ninth over to dismiss Mooney. Devine briefly wrestled back control with three sixes off Charani but fell in the 11th over, bowled by Nandini Sharma.

Gardner kept Gujarat Giants on track with a fluent 49 off 26 balls, striking four boundaries and three sixes to push the total beyond 200.

Jemimah Rodrigues pulled off a fine catch to dismiss Georgia Wareham (3), while Henry accounted for Gardner and Bharti Fulmali (3).

Nandini then capped a memorable spell by taking four wickets in the final over, including three off the last three balls, to complete her maiden hat trick.

(With PTI Inputs)