After leading London Spirit to their maiden Women’s Hundred title last year, India all-rounder Deepti Sharma has pulled out of the 2025 season, citing workload management. With the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup scheduled on home soil later this year, Deepti has opted to skip the month-long English tournament to focus on international duties, becoming the latest high-profile player to sit out due to a packed calendar.
The Spirit confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, acknowledging the 27-year-old’s impact on the franchise. “Deepti will always have a special place in Spirit history, having produced the team’s most iconic moment when she struck the ball over long-on for six to secure our first The Hundred title last summer,” the club said.
Sharma finished the 2024 season with 212 runs and eight wickets across eight matches, emerging as Spirit’s highest-ranked player in the MVP standings.
Who has replaced Deepti Sharma?
In Deepti Sharma’s absence, Spirit have signed Australian all-rounder Charli Knott as her replacement. Knott, who previously played for Southern Brave and is a regular with Brisbane Heat in the WBBL, is expected to play in the defending champions’ middle order. “I can’t wait to take the field with the London Spirit this year. Having experienced the excitement The Hundred has to offer during my short stint last year, I am very much looking forward to playing again this year,” Knott said of joining the Spirit.
Deepti’s absence now confirms that no Indian player will feature in the women’s Hundred this year. London Spirit begin their title defence on August 5 against Oval Invincibles at Lord’s, but they’ll be missing one of their biggest match-winners.
