When Deepti Sharma wasn’t taking wickets in the first half of 2026, she wasn’t particularly concerned since she knew her moment will come.
Deepti’s tours of Australia and South Africa earlier this year were terrible; aside from a few games, she didn’t score many runs or take many wickets.
One of the best all-rounders in the world was validated on Sunday as India defeated Pakistan by 64 runs in their opening T20 World Cup match thanks in large part to her career-best stats of 5/10 in 4 overs.
“I wasn’t worried when I didn’t get wickets because I knew when the right time would come, I would step up,” PTI quoted Deepti as saying at the post-match presentation ceremony.
Deepti’s remarkable record in ICC tournaments persisted, and Edgbaston pitch’s offer of turn proved to be significant.
“I like these kinds of wickets because there was turn on offer. I varied my pace. Because the ball was turning, I had to be slow in the air and believe in myself and bowl in the right areas. But I want to specially mention the partnership (91 runs) between Smriti (Mandhana) and Harry di (Harmanpreet Kaur),” Deepti said.
Mandhana and Deepti’s performance on a significant day was praised by Indian captain Harmanpreet.
“Whenever we need, they (Mandhana and Sharma) are always there to push the team.”
There were no demons in the wicket, according to Harmanpreet.
“It was a decent pitch. Initially, we unnecessarily put pressure on ourselves. But when Smriti and I were batting, we tried to control the game.”
When asked if Richa Ghosh might have been sent before Bharti Fulmali, Harmanpreet said: “If it were in my hands, I would love to send her on the first ball. But she has a role to play, and she is doing it well.”
Harmanpreet is pleased that they achieved a significant victory over Pakistan because South Africa and Australia are also in the group.
“Every league game is important and I’m very happy how we went about it.”
Fatima Sana, the captain of Pakistan, said that both their bowling and batting were lacking in the latter stages.
“The batting was very disappointing. We need to step up as we have a long way to go. In bowling, we were good till the last few overs, but we got sloppy. The one extra fielder coming in also affected us. It is a young side and they will learn,” the Pakistan skipper said in a dejected tone.
