The Indian women’s team opened their Women’s T20 World Cup campaign with a dominating win, and none other than Deepti Sharma spearheaded it. The veteran all-rounder produced her best bowling figures ever in international cricket in a haul of 5 for 10 against Pakistan at Edgbaston, which helped India emerge victorious by 64 runs. After the game, when asked about her successful day out, she simply stated, “I always believe in myself.”
This reflects how self-confidence played an important role in overcoming her bad patch, which started in the beginning of the year. Not only was her innings instrumental in the team’s success, but it took her to the top of the list of bowlers who have taken the most wickets in women’s T20 internationals.
This particular performance wasn’t achieved through variation or quick thinking, rather it was the result of persistence and execution. Deepti varied her speed based on conditions and stuck to her strengths throughout. She focused on hitting her mark consistently on the slowing track.
Also Read | Barcelona Grand Prix 2026: Key Winners and Losers After a Crucial Race
Historic Outing for Deepti Sharma Against Pakistan in Women’s T20 World Cup
Deepti’s impressive figures of 5/10 from four overs not only marked her best T20I bowling performance but also stood out as one of the most memorable spells in the history of India’s Women’s T20 World Cup. At one point, Pakistan seemed to be cruising at 38 without losing a wicket, but Deepti turned the tide. She took out crucial batters, kept the pressure on with a string of dot balls, and even executed a stunning direct-hit run-out of Muneeba Ali, who was the top scorer with 41 runs. In the end, Pakistan crumbled to 106 all out while chasing a target of 171.
This spell was packed with significant milestones. Deepti became the leading wicket-taker in women’s T20 internationals, reaching 166 wickets and surpassing Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong. Additionally, she made history as the first Indian woman to achieve multiple five-wicket hauls in T20Is. Her performance also marked the third five-wicket haul by an Indian in Women’s T20 World Cup history, following Priyanka Roy in 2009 and Renuka Singh Thakur in 2023.
India’s triumph was significantly influenced by Smriti Mandhana’s stellar 68 runs off just 44 balls and Shree Charani’s remarkable debut, where she took 3 wickets for 21 runs. Yet, it was Deepti’s impact that truly shone through. Looking back on her journey, she shared that she never let her struggles get to her; she always had faith that she would rise to the occasion when her team needed her the most. In the match against Pakistan, that unwavering belief turned into a record-breaking performance, marking a fantastic start to India’s World Cup campaign.
