Deepti Sharma Poised to Break Wicket Record in ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026

Deepti Sharma's Historic Opportunity

Star all-rounder Deepti Sharma is on the verge of making history as she prepares to face Bangladesh in India's fourth Group A match of the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday. Currently tied with former pace sensation Jhulan Goswami at 355 wickets, the 28-year-old off-spinner only needs one more wicket to claim the top position in women's international cricket.

Deepti Aims for the Top Spot

Deepti has had an impressive tournament thus far, showcasing her skills with a remarkable five-wicket haul against Pakistan. She matched Jhulan's long-standing record with figures of 1/26 against the Netherlands. However, she was unable to take a wicket in India's previous match against South Africa, where the team suffered a six-wicket defeat. Despite this setback, Deepti remains a crucial asset for India as they head into this pivotal match. Her statistics reflect her prowess across formats, with 167 wickets in 147 T20I matches, making her the leading wicket-taker in T20Is for India and globally.

In One Day Internationals, she has secured 166 wickets in 124 matches, trailing only Jhulan Goswami's 255 for India. Additionally, she has taken 22 wickets in just six Test matches. Notably, Katherine Sciver-Brunt (335), Ellyse Perry (332), Sophie Ecclestone (327), and Shabnim Ismail (318) are the only players ahead of Deepti and Jhulan on the all-time list, highlighting the elite company she is set to surpass.

India's Quest for a Win

While Deepti Sharma's potential record is a focal point, Team India faces strategic challenges ahead of the match. The team has often gained early momentum thanks to strong performances from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, but the middle order has struggled to convert these starts into match-winning totals. Finishers like Richa Ghosh and Deepti have frequently found themselves with too much to accomplish in limited time due to the middle-order's inability to capitalize on opportunities. India's recent loss to South Africa also highlighted fielding mistakes after they had reduced the opposition to 25 for 2. In contrast, Bangladesh enters the match with confidence, having secured victories over the Netherlands and Pakistan through disciplined teamwork rather than individual brilliance. A win for India would ensure their progression to the semifinals and set the stage for a high-stakes encounter with Australia, while another upset could shake up Group A for Bangladesh.