Deepti Sharma Highlights India's Strength Ahead of Asia Cup Clash with Pakistan

As India prepares for a pivotal match against Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, all-rounder Deepti Sharma emphasizes the team's balance and the emergence of young talents. With India unbeaten in their campaign so far, Sharma highlights the strengths of both her team and the formidable Pakistani bowlers. She reflects on the historical matchups between the two teams and the importance of focusing on their own game. The article also showcases the rising stars in the Indian squad, including top-ranked bowler Sree Charani and promising player Prema Rawat. Read on to discover more about India's strategy and preparations for this high-stakes encounter.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 4, 2026, 23:58 IST

India's All-Rounder Deepti Sharma Prepares for Asia Cup Showdown

Dubai [UAE], September 4: Deepti Sharma, the all-rounder for India, has expressed confidence in her team's well-rounded squad as they gear up for a crucial match against Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup 2026, as reported by a sports media outlet.

The highly anticipated match is scheduled to take place at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium this Saturday.

In her remarks before the game, Sharma noted that the Indian team has been performing admirably, showcasing a strong balance in both their batting and bowling line-ups.

“The entire team is in good form. If you analyze our bowling and batting units, they are both well-balanced based on our recent performances,” she stated, as cited by the sports media outlet.

India has made a strong start in the Asia Cup 2026, with several players stepping up to deliver impressive performances. The reigning champions of the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup remain undefeated after two matches, achieving significant victories over Thailand and Hong Kong, China, by margins of 94 runs and 137 runs, respectively, placing them at the top of Group A. Notably, Smriti Mandhana set multiple records during the match against Hong Kong, China.

Conversely, Pakistan has recorded a 35-run win against Thailand in their only match thus far in the Asia Cup. Muneeba Ali was instrumental in their batting, scoring a solid 54 runs off 52 balls, while bowlers Sadia Iqbal (3/11) and Tuba Hassan (2/17) excelled.

Sharma also acknowledged the strength of Pakistan's bowling attack, particularly praising spinners Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal, who are ranked seventh and ninth in the ICC Women’s T20I Bowling Rankings, respectively.

“Our team is strong, and their bowlers are formidable as well. However, we remain focused on our strengths. Our goal is to play an excellent brand of cricket,” she emphasized.

Regarding the historical matchups between India and Pakistan, Sharma recognized India’s favorable record but highlighted the need to concentrate on their own game plan.

“In past encounters, whether in the Asia Cup or other matches, we have generally had the upper hand. Ultimately, it comes down to how well we can perform as a team against them. That is our primary focus,” she remarked.

India boasts a commanding 14-3 record against Pakistan in Women’s T20Is.

Sharma also pointed out the rise of young talent within the Indian squad, particularly mentioning Sree Charani, who is currently the top-ranked bowler in Women’s T20I.

“Charani is an exceptional talent. She holds the number one ranking and has shown remarkable performance over the past year. Her ability to turn the ball is impressive, making it challenging for batters,” she noted.

Charani made her debut for India against England in April 2025 and has since made significant strides, taking 73 wickets in 48 matches and emerging as a key player, including a strong performance in the recent ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

Sharma also commended 24-year-old Prema Rawat for her readiness to seize opportunities and contribute whenever needed. She mentioned her support for Rawat, sharing her experience both on the field and during practice sessions.

“Similarly, Prema has had limited chances to play, but she is always prepared to step up when called upon. I assist her as much as possible, whether on the field or in practice, sharing my insights whenever I can,” she added.

Rawat made her debut for India against South Africa during the Women’s T20 World Cup after showcasing her skills in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). She played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in their victorious 2026 campaign and has taken two wickets in three matches for India.