Deepti Sharma Withdraws from 2025 Hundred Season to Focus on Workload Management
Deepti Sharma Steps Back from Upcoming Season
Deepti Sharma, who dramatically clinched the first Hundred title for London Spirit with a six in last year's final at Lord's, has decided to withdraw from the 2025 season to manage her workload effectively. Currently on tour in England with the Indian team, the all-rounder has opted for a short break following a demanding schedule.
With the 50-over World Cup set to take place in India later this year, Deepti has chosen to forgo her £36,000 contract to prioritize rest and preparation. Australian all-rounder Charli Knott will take her place on the team. This season will see several changes for London Spirit, including Charlie Dean stepping in as captain due to Heather Knight's injury. Grace Harris has joined the team in place of Meg Lanning, and Chris Liddle has been appointed as the new head coach, replacing Ashley Noffke.
Deepti's exit means that there will be no Indian players contracted in the Hundred this year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) does not issue No-Objection Certificates (NOCs) for active male players participating in overseas leagues, leading to many Indian women cricketers either being undrafted or unavailable due to workload considerations.
In other league news, Trent Rockets have announced Ashleigh Gardner as the women's captain for the upcoming season. Nat Sciver-Brunt, who held the captaincy until recently, stepped down to reduce her workload, and Gardner expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to lead the team.
Ashleigh Gardner and David Willey Take the Helm at Trent Rockets
David Willey will captain the men's side for Trent Rockets, succeeding Lewis Gregory, who has moved to Manchester Originals after his release. Willey, a £200,000 draft signing, brings extensive short-format captaincy experience, having previously led Northamptonshire, Yorkshire, and Northern Superchargers, and played for Welsh Fire in the last two seasons.
All teams in the Hundred are required to make four wildcard signings—two men and two women—next week, based on performances from the ongoing T20 Blast. Birmingham Phoenix has already made a move by signing Nottinghamshire seamer Freddie McCann as a replacement for Derbyshire's Harry Moore, who is sidelined with a back stress fracture.
The Hundred tournament is scheduled to run from August 5 to 31, serving as a transitional phase before the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) transfers operational rights of the eight franchises to their respective host counties and new private owners ahead of the 2026 season.