- By Himanshu Badola
- Sat, 09 Mar 2024 07:29 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Delhi Capitals vs UP Warriorz, WPL 2024: Deepti Sharma, India's star all-rounder put up a show with both bat and the ball against Delhi Capitals in the Match 15 of the Women's Premier League 2024 at the Arun Jaitely Stadium in Delhi on Friday, March 8.
Deepti created history as she picked up an impactful hat-trick, becoming the first-ever Indian player to do so in the WPL history.
Her effort helped Warriorz pick up their third win of the season as they defeated Delhi by just one run in a thrilling match.
ALSO READ: UP Warriorz Beat Delhi Capitals By 1 Run In WPL 2024
The instance took place across Deepti's two spells as she dismissed the DC skipper Meg Lanning for 60 on the last ball of the 14th over.
She then came to bowl the crucial 19th over when the hosts needed just 15 runs off 12 deliveries with six wickets in hand.
ALSO READ: Neeraj Chopra Hopes To Remain In 'Best Possible Shape' For Paris Olympics
She first removed Annabel Sutherland on the first ball for 6 before dismissing Arundhati Reddy for 0 on the very next ball to complete her hat-trick.
Deepti was then smashed for a boundary on the third delivery but picked up another wicket on the very next ball, dismissing Shikha Pandey for 4.
She completely changed the game with her 19th over which saw the fall of three wickets and gave away just five runs.
Delhi, then needed 10 runs off the last over bowled by Grace Harris which they failed to score and were bowled out for 137 in 19.5 overs, losing three wickets before falling a run short.
Notably, Deepti is now only the second player in the WPL history to take a hat-trick after Mumbai Indians' Issy Wong who achieved the feat in the inaugural season last year.
When asked about her achievement after the win at the post-match presentation, Deepti said that she was completely unaware of it.
I backed my strengths and shots. Was thinking of what shots were on and was reading the situation. Was thinking of how we can bowl dots to the set batters, I like challenges when I’m bowling as well. (On being asked if she knew she picked up a hat-trick) No, I didn’t know. I always stay ready for a caught and bowled. Was always thinking of how we can get the game back. Want to keep the process the same, there is no limit to learning and I want to keep learning” she said after being adjudged as the player of the match.
Deepti also had made a crucial contribution with the bat as she scored 59 runs off 48 balls to help Warriorz reach 138/8 in their 20 overs while batting first.
UP managed to defend the lowest total in WPL history despite a half-century from DC skipper Meg Lanning who scored 60 off 46 balls and they were well in control until the 14th over.