India women’s head coach Amol Muzumdar has admitted that Deepti Sharma’s dip in form is a concern but has backed her to perform in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Deepti has struggled of late, losing a wicket in her last five T20Is and conceding runs at an expensive economy rate of 9.25, well above her career mark of 6.23.
She is yet to take a wicket in the ongoing T20I series against South Africa and has an economy rate of 10.73. Ahead of the fourth T20I at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday, April 25, Muzumdar acknowledged concerns about her form.
“Look, I don’t want to beat around the bush, I just want to say that yes, it is a little bit worrying as far as Deepti is concerned,” Muzumdar said in the pre-match press conference.
Deepti’s form with the bat in hand has also been worrying. Since the Women’s T20 World Cup in October 2024, she has scored just 90 runs from 11 innings at an average of 11.25, with a top score of 29. Notably, she is yet to reach the double in 2025.
‘DEEPTI SHARMA A CLASS PLAYER’
Meanwhile, Muzumdar encouraged Deepti to rediscover her form. The former cricketer said she has immense class and is the type of player who thrives under pressure, especially in World Cups.
“For all champions, form is temporary, you know, class is permanent, it’s a cliché, but it’s true for all players and she’s a class player, no doubt about it, we’ve seen it in the World Cup, in bigger tournaments, in pressure situations, she stood up for India,” Muzumdar added.
While Deepti has been struggling lately, India hasn’t been at her best either. After winning the T20I series 2-1 in Australia, they have since lost the series to South Africathey led 3-0 for the guests.
With the T20 World Cup looming, India still have five T20Is remaining, including three in England, and will want to agree on the right combinations in their bid to challenge for the title.
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Issued by:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published on:
24 Apr 2026 20:23 IST
