There is a reason why Deepti Sharma is India’s best bowler, that too by a considerable margin. On Sunday, during the IND vs PAK encounter in Birmingham, the opposition got a rollicking start while chasing 171, and were 52/1 in 6 overs. It was not like they were fancied to win, but someone had to pick the wickets still. And it was then, that Deepti came on to bowl, got a wicket in the very first over to kickstart a collapse of epic proportions. That helped IND bundle out PAK for 106; herself returning with figures of 5/10, the best by an INDIAN in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
Deepti Sharma decimates Pakistan
The 28-year-old got the wickets of Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Aliya Riaz, Nashra Sandhu and Tasmia Rubab — to create a flurry of records. During the course of her sublime performance, she surpassed Renuka Thakur’s best effort of 5/15, against England in the 2023 edition, again giving a glimpse of what she can do with the ball in her hand.
Best bowling figures in Women’s T20 World Cups
- Deandra Dottin (West Indies) – 5/5 (3.4 overs) vs England in 2018
- Sune Luus (South Africa) – 5/8 vs Ireland in 2016
- Deepti Sharma (India) – 5/10 vs Pakistan in 2026
- Ashleigh Gardner (Australia) – 5/12 (3 overs) vs New Zealand in 2023
- Renuka Singh Thakur (India) – 5/15 vs England in 2023
Further, she became only the second player in the world, after Jhulan Goswami, to bag over 350 wickets, across formats, in international cricket.. she currently stands at 354, while Goswami is at 355. Meanwhile, this also happens to be her second fifer in T20Is, also her best figures overall.
Most international wickets in Women’s Cricket
- 355 – Jhulan Goswami (IND)
- 354 – Deepti Sharma (IND)
- 335 – Katherine Sciver-Brunt (ENG)
- 332 – Ellyse Pelly (AUS)
- 327 – Sophie Ecclestone (ENG)
- 318 – Shabnim Ismail (SA)
India too good for Pakistan
Earlier in the day, despite being reduced to 18/2 while batting first, India managed to score 170/6 in their 20 overs. The team was guided by a brilliant 44-ball 68 by Smriti Mandhana, who held the fort from one end. IN the latter half, Richa Ghosh accelerated well, and played a cameo of 34 from 17.
Come the chase, Pakistan started well and were 52/1 in 6 overs, but could not withstand the pressure applied by Deepti. From that stage, they lost 9 wickets for 54 runs only.
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