Deepti Sharma has been an integral part of the Indian women’s cricket team for nearly a decade. A member of India’s World Cup–winning squad, she has played a vital role in the team’s growth and transformation into one of the most competitive sides in world cricket.
Her journey, however, has been far from easy.
Over the years, Deepti has faced her share of criticism — whether it was about her batting approach in the later stages of an innings, her fielding, or her running between the wickets. Yet, she never allowed those voices to deter her. Instead, she chose to let her hard work, consistency, and resilience define her career.
Today, that perseverance has paid off. Deepti Sharma not only holds a World Cup winner’s medal but also proudly owns the Player of the Tournament award — a testament to her impact, skill, and determination.
Deepti’s journey stands as an inspiring story of grit and growth, symbolizing the evolution of Indian women’s cricket itself — a story of belief, hard work, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.
Childhood Challenges and a Life-Changing Moment
Born and brought up in Agra, Deepti Sharma’s childhood was surrounded by remarks that cricket was not a game meant for girls. During her early years, there were limited facilities and very little support for women’s cricket. However, inspired by fellow players from Uttar Pradesh such as Suresh Raina and Mohammad Kaif, who went on to represent India, Deepti never gave up. She began her fight — against the system, against societal norms, and within the game itself — determined to make her mark in Indian cricket.
Deepti’s elder brother was also deeply involved in cricket and played for the Uttar Pradesh state team. On most occasions, Deepti would accompany him to the nets and practice sessions. One day, fate took a remarkable turn. A direct hit from nearly 50 meters away caught everyone’s attention — including that of Hemlata Kala, a selector for the Indian women’s team. That moment changed everything for Deepti. She was noticed, and from that day onward, her life and her passion for cricket began to take a new and promising direction.
Switching to West Bengal and getting the opportunity to play alongside Jhulan Goswami in the domestic circuit proved to be a turning point in Deepti Sharma’s career. The experience and exposure she gained there helped her attract the attention needed to break into the Indian women’s cricket team. Finally, in 2014, she made her ODI debut against South Africa in Bengaluru — marking the beginning of her journey in international cricket.
Very early in her career, Deepti grabbed the spotlight when she shared a record-breaking 320-run opening partnership with Poonam Raut against Ireland, scoring a remarkable 188 runs herself in that ODI. While her batting performances earned her recognition, bowling has always been her stronger suit. Deepti’s craft lies in her ability to vary her pace and trajectory intelligently, deceiving batters with her subtle changes and sharp cricketing mind.
From Spotlight to Support: Deepti’s Quiet Consistency
Over time, the landscape of women’s cricket began to change. With a growing emphasis on power-hitting and quick scoring, Deepti often found herself under the spotlight for her batting strike rate and her perceived inability to clear the boundaries at will. As a result, her batting position shifted from the top order to the lower middle order, allowing her to focus more on her bowling skills.
However, Deepti adapted beautifully. She found ways to contribute valuable runs — through her sweeps, slog-sweeps, and intelligent strike rotation. While the spotlight often shone brighter on players like Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, Deepti consistently delivered crucial, utility runs that proved vital for her team’s success.
Since the 2017 World Cup — where Deepti Sharma was also part of India’s heartbreaking loss — she has continued to be a consistent contributor for her team in major multinational tournaments. The recently concluded World Cup was no different. Deepti began the campaign by rescuing India from a difficult situation against Sri Lanka and went on to play a decisive role in the final, dismissing key South African batters Laura Wolvaardt and Tryon to seal a historic triumph for the country. Throughout the tournament, Deepti was always there — for her team and for her captain.
Her all-round utility makes her a valuable asset in leagues around the world. Team leaders and managements everywhere recognize that whenever Deepti Sharma steps onto the field, she gives nothing less than her 100%.
From the heartbreaking no-ball in the 2022 World Cup — which led to India’s exit before the semifinals — to scoring a fifty and claiming a five-wicket haul in the final against the same opponent, Deepti Sharma’s journey has come full circle. She finished the campaign as the Player of the Tournament and became the only cricketer — across both men’s and women’s World Cups — to score more than 200 runs and take over 20 wickets in a single edition. Deepti Sharma’s revival, or rather her redemption, in the World Cup has been nothing short of perfect.
