The Women’s Premier League (WPL) has quickly established itself as one of the most competitive tournaments in women’s cricket. Since the inaugural season in 2023, the league has showcased thrilling batting displays, high-scoring matches, and intense rivalries between franchises. While explosive batting often dominates headlines, bowling performances can be equally spectacular. In T20 cricket, moments such as hat-tricks, five-wicket hauls, and record-breaking spells are rare and memorable. These moments can completely transform a match and often become defining highlights of a season. Between 2023 and 2026, several bowlers have produced extraordinary performances in the WPL, including the league’s first hat-trick, historic five-wicket hauls, and the best bowling figures in tournament history.
This article explores the hat-tricks and rare bowling feats in WPL history, celebrating the bowlers who have produced unforgettable performances.
Hat-Tricks in WPL History
A hat-trick occurs when a bowler takes three wickets in three consecutive deliveries. In the fast-paced format of T20 cricket, achieving a hat-trick is extremely rare and requires skill, precision, and a bit of luck. Since the start of the Women’s Premier League, four bowlers have achieved this remarkable milestone.
Issy Wong – The First Hat-Trick in WPL History
The first hat-trick in the history of the Women’s Premier League was taken by Issy Wong during the inaugural season in 2023.
Representing the Mumbai Indians Women, Wong delivered a sensational performance against UP Warriorz.
Her hat-trick came during a high-pressure moment in the match, where the opposition was attempting to build momentum. Wong’s pace and accuracy proved too much for the batters, and she dismantled the middle order with three consecutive wickets.
This historic moment not only sealed a crucial victory for the Mumbai Indians but also became one of the most iconic highlights of the inaugural WPL season.
The hat-trick also demonstrated the growing standard of fast bowling in women’s T20 cricket.
Deepti Sharma – First Indian Bowler to Take a WPL Hat-Trick
During the 2024 season, Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma created history by becoming the first Indian bowler to claim a hat-trick in the Women’s Premier League. Playing for UP Warriorz, Deepti achieved the feat in a thrilling match against Delhi Capitals Women.
Her hat-trick came at a critical stage of the match when Delhi Capitals appeared to be cruising toward victory. Deepti’s intelligent bowling and ability to vary her pace created confusion among the batters.
In just three deliveries, she turned the game completely around. The match eventually ended in a dramatic one-run victory for UP Warriorz, making Deepti’s hat-trick one of the most impactful bowling performances in WPL history.
Grace Harris – A Surprise Hat-Trick in 2025
Australian all-rounder Grace Harris delivered one of the most unexpected hat-tricks in WPL history during the 2025 season. Although Harris is primarily known for her explosive batting, she proved her versatility by achieving a hat-trick while playing for UP Warriorz.
The moment occurred in the final over of the innings against the Delhi Capitals. Harris used clever variations and tight lines to trap three batters in consecutive deliveries. Her hat-trick stunned fans and players alike, highlighting how unpredictable T20 cricket can be. It also demonstrated that part-time bowlers can produce match-winning moments when given the opportunity.
Nandani Sharma – A Dream Debut Season
The 2026 season introduced one of the most exciting young bowlers in the tournament: Nandani Sharma. Playing for the Delhi Capitals, Sharma delivered a sensational performance against the Gujarat Giants. In only her second match in the league, she achieved a hat-trick while also claiming a five-wicket haul. This remarkable performance made her:
- The first Indian fast bowler to take a five-for in the WPL
- one of the youngest bowlers to record a hat-trick in the tournament
Her ability to swing the ball and bowl aggressive lines quickly caught the attention of fans and analysts. Sharma eventually finished the season with 17 wickets, earning the Emerging Player of the Season award.
Best Bowling Figures in WPL History
While hat-tricks are rare, the league has also witnessed some extraordinary bowling spells.
The best bowling performance in WPL history belongs to Ellyse Perry. Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Perry produced a stunning spell of 6 wickets for 15 runs against the Mumbai Indians Women during the 2024 season. This performance remains the best bowling figures ever recorded in the WPL. Perry’s spell showcased:
- exceptional control
- intelligent variations
- perfect execution under pressure
Her performance completely dismantled the opposition batting lineup and is widely regarded as one of the greatest bowling displays in the league.
Five-Wicket Hauls in WPL History
Another rare bowling achievement in T20 cricket is the five-wicket haul. Taking five wickets in a single innings requires both consistency and the ability to attack aggressively. Several bowlers have achieved this milestone in the Women’s Premier League.
Tara Norris – Historic Five-Wicket Haul
American fast bowler Tara Norris made history during the inaugural WPL season in 2023. Representing Delhi Capitals, Norris delivered a sensational performance by taking five wickets in a single match..Her spell demonstrated the importance of accurate seam bowling in T20 cricket and established her as one of the standout performers of the season.
Kim Garth – Consistent Match Winner
Australian-born Irish cricketer Kim Garth also recorded a five-wicket haul during the early seasons of the WPL..Playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Garth showcased exceptional bowling discipline..Her ability to maintain tight lines and exploit batting mistakes helped her achieve one of the most memorable spells of the season.
Shreyanka Patil – Rising Indian Bowling Star
Another impressive five-wicket haul came from Indian spinner Shreyanka Patil.
Representing Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Patil delivered a brilliant spell during the 2026 season..Her performance highlighted the growing strength of Indian spin bowling in the Women’s Premier League.
Why Rare Bowling Feats Matter in T20 Cricket
In T20 cricket, batting often dominates because of the short format and aggressive scoring strategies..However, rare bowling achievements such as hat-tricks and five-wicket hauls can completely change the momentum of a match. These performances:
- break partnerships
- increase pressure on the batting side
- inspire the bowling team
Because of this, such moments often become defining highlights of a season.
Evolution of Bowling in the WPL
The quality of bowling in the Women’s Premier League has improved significantly since the inaugural season. Teams now invest heavily in:
- specialist death bowlers
- powerplay wicket-takers
- spin bowlers who control the middle overs
This evolution has resulted in more competitive matches and a greater balance between bat and ball.
The Future of Bowling in the WPL Hat-Tricks
As the Women’s Premier League continues to grow, more young bowlers are emerging from domestic cricket systems. Improved coaching, analytics, and exposure to international competition are helping these players develop advanced skills. This means that future seasons of the WPL could witness:
- more hat-tricks
- more five-wicket hauls
- even better bowling performances
The league is becoming a platform where bowlers can showcase their talent on a global stage.
Conclusion
Since its launch in 2023, the Women’s Premier League has already produced several unforgettable bowling moments. Hat-tricks from Issy Wong, Deepti Sharma, Grace Harris, and Nandani Sharma have become iconic highlights of the tournament.
Meanwhile, record-breaking performances like Ellyse Perry’s historic 6/15 and five-wicket hauls by bowlers such as Tara Norris and Shreyanka Patil demonstrate the incredible talent present in the league.
As the WPL continues to grow, fans can expect even more spectacular bowling performances in the coming seasons.
These rare feats not only add excitement to matches but also prove that bowlers remain a crucial part of the game.
FAQs
Q1. How many hat-tricks have been taken in WPL history?
A1. As of the 2026 season, four hat-tricks have been recorded in the Women’s Premier League.
Q2. Who took the first hat-trick in WPL history?
A2. The first hat-trick in WPL history was taken by Issy Wong for the Mumbai Indians Women during the 2023 season.
Q3. Which Indian bowler took the first WPL hat-trick?
A3. Deepti Sharma became the first Indian bowler to take a hat-trick in the Women’s Premier League during the 2024 season.
Q4. What are the best bowling figures in WPL history?
A4. The best bowling figures in WPL history belong to Ellyse Perry, who took 6 wickets for 15 runs in a match for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Q5. What is a hat-trick in cricket?
A5. A hat-trick occurs when a bowler takes three wickets in three consecutive deliveries, one of the rarest and most exciting achievements in cricket.