July 9, 2025, will be a memorable day for the India women’s team and its supporters. On this historic day, the India women’s team achieved a remarkable feat by winning a T20I series against England for the first time, and that too on English soil. The Indian team defeated the hosts by 6 wickets, securing an unassailable lead in the five-match T20I series.
But the day held special significance for India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma as well. The second ball of her second over turned out to be unforgettable for the off spinner. In the final over of the powerplay, England’s Sophia Dunkley, looking to accelerate the scoring, stepped out to attack but got a thick outside edge. Radha Yadav, ever alert in the field, pulled off a stunning diving catch to complete the dismissal.
With that wicket, Deepti Sharma etched her name in the record books, becoming only the second Indian bowler after the legendary Jhulan Goswami to reach 300 international wickets. Additionally, Deepti also became the second-highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20 Internationals, surpassing Pakistan’s Nida Dar. She now trails only Australia’s Megan Schutt on the all-time list.
In a conversation shared on BCCI TV, Deepti Sharma reflected on her journey to reaching 300 international wickets, offering insights into the hard work and perseverance behind the milestone.
The star bowler shared her emotions in the interview, saying, “It is obviously a good feeling. It is a proud feeling for me, and my family is also very happy after the achievement. My teammates also congratulated me.”
She went on to add that when she first started playing, milestones like these were never on her mind. Her sole focus was to represent the country and give her best on the field.
Deepti also fondly recalled her maiden ODI wicket, that of South Africa’s Nadine Moodley. She shared how special the moment was, saying it was a proud feeling to claim her first international wicket and how her teammates gathered around and cheered for her, making the occasion even more memorable.
When asked about her approach to the game, she said, “I keep things simple; for example, in every match when I get the chance to bowl, be it in the powerplay or slog overs, I handle that task very calmly. I love challenges, and whenever a tough situation arises, the team management feels that we have Deepti in our ranks and she can get the job done.”
In the conversation, Deepti said, “I have learnt to handle pressure from MS Dhoni, sir. I used to be glued to the TV whenever there was a match featuring him and watch them.”
“It never seemed like he (Dhoni) was under pressure at any moment; he would calmly handle the situation and finish the game at last. That is exactly what I have also developed in my game,” the off-spinner further added.
The new entrant to the elite 300-wicket club, joining former fast bowler Jhulan Goswami with 355 wickets, said, “The first Indian woman to 300 wickets is a legend who has taught me a lot. When I made my debut, she encouraged me and cheered me a lot in the field of play as well as off it. Joining her in the 300 club is a moment of great satisfaction for me.”
The 27-year-old, when asked about her future goals, commented, “I have not set any targets, like I want to take these many wickets or score these many runs. What matters to me is in how many matches can I contribute to the team as an all-rounder and help them win matches. How much impact can I make, and how can I take the team out of difficult situations… That is more important to me, and not milestones.”
She ended with the remark, “I dedicate this milestone to my family, because they made a lot of sacrifices from the time I started playing to this day.”
