U20 Women's World Cup: Deepti Sharma creates world record with historic five against Pakistan

Deepti Sharma (Pic credit: BCCI Women) NEW DELHI: India’s leading all-rounder Deepti Sharma etched her name in the record books with a sensational five-wicket haul as India outclassed arch-rivals Pakistan by 64 runs in Edgbaston on Sunday.The 28-year-old off-spinner returned to career-best figures of 5/10 in four overs – the best bowling figures by an Indian woman in T20 World Cup history – to become the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20 internationals. Deepti now has 166 wickets from 145 T20Is, surpassing Thai spinner Thipatcha Putthawong who held the previous record of 165 wickets. Deepti’s five for also made her only the third Indian bowler to take five wickets in the Women’s T20 World Cup after Priyanka Roy (5/16 against Pakistan in 2009) and Renuka Singh Thakur (5/15 against England in 2023).

Most wickets in T20Is for women

166 – Deepti Sharma (IND)*
165 – Thipatcha Putthawong (THA)
160 – Henriette Ishime (RWA)
152 – Megan Schutt (AUS)
148 – About Kamchomphu (THA)

Deepti’s spin web leaves Pakistan helpless

Chasing 171, Pakistan had no answer to India’s disciplined attack. Apart from Muneeba Ali struggling for 41 off 35 balls, the batting line-up struggled to cope with the spin and variable pace on offer.Deepti was virtually unplayable on a surface that increasingly helped the slower bowlers. She changed pace brilliantly and kept attacking the stumps, removing Pakistan’s middle and lower order to finish with excellent figures of 5/10.“I like these kind of wickets. Because it’s spinning, I changed the pace in every ball and in every over and that helped me a lot,” Deepti said after receiving the Man of the Match award.“I just believed in myself and kept bowling in the right areas. I was never scared when I didn’t get wickets. I always believed that when the time was right, I would start for the team,” she added.Left-arm spinner Shree Charani complemented Deepti brilliantly with figures of 3/21 while Shafali Verma chipped in with a wicket.Five-wicket haul for IND-W in T20 WC

5/10 – Deepti Shamra vs PAK, Birmingham, 2026*
15. 5. – Renuka Thakur vs. ENG, Gqeberha, 2023
5/16 – Priyanka Roy vs PAK, Taunton, 2009

Mandhana, Richa led India to a total victory

Earlier, Smriti Mandhana’s elegant 68 off 44 balls laid the platform for India after they slumped to 18/2. The vice-captain added 91 runs with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (36) to steady the innings before Richa Ghosh provided a late flourish with a scorching 34 off just 17 deliveries.The wicketkeeper’s onslaught in the penultimate over yielded 23 runs and helped India post a challenging 170/6.Deepti also appreciated the contributions of the batsmen and said, “Especially I want to mention the partnership of Smriti and Harry Di. We got the impetus from there.”India eventually bundled out Pakistan for 106 in 17 overs to start their campaign in emphatic fashion.