After 3450 days, Deepti Sharma’s agonizing wait for another Indian century ends

Deepti Sharma ended a wait of nine years and five months for her second ODI century when she smashed an unbeaten 106 against Zimbabwe in the second ODI in Vadodara on Sunday, October 25. The Indian all-rounder’s last hundred came 3,450 days after her first, a remarkable 188 against Ireland at Potchefstroom, 15, 2005 in South Africa.

The gap between Deepti’s two ODI centuries is the second longest of any Test in the format. South African Marizanne Kapp holds the record with 3,867 days between first and second ODI hundreds between 2013 and 2023.

India vs Zimbabwe 2nd Women’s ODI: Update | Scorecard

Deepti’s feat is also the second longest gap between centuries in women’s international cricket. The record is held by Molly Hide, who waited 5,117 days between her first and second Test hundred between 1935 and 1949.

Deepti scored her first ODI century at just 19 years old. Opening the innings alongside Punam Raut, she smashed 188 off 160 balls against Ireland, hitting 27 fours and two sixes. The pair shared a record 320-run opening partnership as India posted 358 to secure a 249-run victory.

Scenes to savor The moment Deepti Sharma brings a truly magnificent STO Scorecard #TeamIndia | #INDvWINTER | @mflone_ | @Deepti_Sharma06 BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) October 25, 2026

DEEPTI GROWS UNDER PRESSURE

On Sunday, Deepti produced another memorable innings, this time from the lower middle order. After India lost early wickets, they helped along with rebuilding the innings Harmanpreet Kaur who also scored a century. The pair added a crucial 153-run partnership to put India in the lead.

Deepti brought up her fifty from 37 balls with a four-over sweep and continued to attack the Zimbabwean bowlers, especially with her effective smashes against spin. She found boundaries despite being offside and used her feet to create scoring opportunities. In the final, she reached her hundred off 83 balls, sweeping Tendai Makusha for four before raising her hands in celebration as her teammates applauded.

Deepti finished unbeaten on 106 off 86 balls and hit 15 boundaries. Her century was also historic, making her the first Indian woman to score an ODI hundred while batting at No. 6 or lower. She broke Richa Ghosh’s previous record of 94 for the highest individual score by an Indian woman at these positions.

India, powered by Deepti’s unbeaten century and Harmanpreet’s hundred, posted an impressive 328 for six after electing to bat first.

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