Deepti Sharma Shatters Records in Women's T20 World Cup Opener Against Pakistan

Historic Performance by Deepti Sharma

In a remarkable display of skill, Deepti Sharma made headlines during India's opening match against Pakistan in the 2026 Women's T20 World Cup, held on June 14 at Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham. The all-rounder was instrumental in leading her team to a convincing 64-run victory, further solidifying India's dominance over their rivals. Deepti achieved a stunning five-wicket haul, claiming the wickets of Gull Feroza, Ayesha Zafar, Aliya Riaz, Nashra Sandhu, and Tasmia Rubab, finishing with impressive bowling figures of 5-10 in her four overs. Additionally, she executed a brilliant run-out of Pakistan's leading scorer, Muneeba Ali, who made 41 runs off 35 balls.

Deepti Sharma's Record-Breaking Achievements

Throughout her outstanding bowling performance, Deepti Sharma became the all-time leading wicket-taker in women's T20I cricket, amassing a total of 166 wickets, surpassing Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong by one wicket. Last year, she had already set a record for the most wickets by a player from a Test-playing nation, previously held by Australian star Megan Schutt.

Deepti also reached a significant milestone by surpassing 350 wickets in international cricket across all formats, becoming only the second player to achieve this after Indian legend Jhulan Goswami. Notably, she is the first player to have over 350 wickets and 3000 runs in her career. Furthermore, she is just one wicket shy of breaking Goswami's record of 355 wickets in women's international cricket.

Her performance marked the best bowling figures by an Indian and an Asian in the history of the women's T20 World Cup, previously held by Renuka Singh (5-15 against England in 2023). Priyanka Roy (5-16 against Pakistan in 2009) is the only other Indian to have taken five wickets in this prestigious tournament. Deepti's figures are now the third-best in the tournament's history and the best against Pakistan, surpassing the previous record held by Priyanka for 17 years. No other player has achieved a five-wicket haul against the team led by Fatima Sana in this competition.

Moreover, Deepti has become the second bowler in history and the first from Asia to take a five-wicket haul in both the Women's World Cup and the Women's T20 World Cup. She achieved this remarkable feat in consecutive ICC tournaments, with her previous five-wicket haul occurring in the final of the 2025 edition against South Africa at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. Sane Luus accomplished this against Ireland in 2016 and against Australia in the Women's World Cup in 2017. Deepti is also the first Indian to record multiple five-wicket hauls in women's T20I cricket, a feat matched only by a few other players among full member nations.