Deepti Sharma etched her name into the records of women’s cricket history with a spellbinding performance that crowned her the highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals. On December 30, 2025, in Thiruvananthapuram, the Indian all-rounder dismissed Sri Lanka’s Nilakshika Silva in the 14th over of the fifth T20I, snaring her landmark 152nd scalp.
This feat propelled India to a hard fought 15-run victory, sealing a clinical 5-0 series sweep against a resilient Sri Lankan side. India’s composure under pressure dismantled the visitors’ chase, restricting them to 160 for seven after India posted 175 for seven. Deepti’s growth from a promising spinner to a global icon mirrors the rise of Indian women’s cricket, blending tactical nous with unerring accuracy.
Deepti now stands alone at the summit, surpassing Australia’s Megan Schutt by a solitary wicket 151 from 123 matches. The Australian pacer, a perennial threat with her slingy action, had held for a few months now, but Deepti’s persistence and discipline paid off. Trailing in third is 22-year-old Henriette Ishimwe from Rwanda, with 144 wickets from 111 innings. Pakistan’s Nida Dar also has 144 wickets, but from 152 innings, placing her 4th on the all-time list.
The English bowler Sophie Ecclestone stands at 5th position with 142 from 100 innings. Among Indians, Deepti’s dominance is unchallenged; teammate Radha Yadav follows distantly with 103 wickets in 89 matches, making them the only two from the nation to breach the 100-wicket barrier in the shortest format. This exclusivity underscores Deepti’s extraordinary longevity and economy, her career average at 19 across 133 matches and economy of 6.12 in T20Is.
The milestone wasn’t isolated. Just days earlier, the 28-year-old left-hand batter and right-arm off-break bowler scripted another slice of history as the first cricketer across men’s or women’s internationals, to tally 1000 runs and 150 wickets in T20Is. Her batting flair, often understated amid her bowling exploits, adds layers to her all-round mastery. In WT20Is she has 1107 runs under her name including two half centuries with strike rate of 104 and average of 23.
Deepti Sharma has been globally recognized and praised. She has been an inspiration to a lot of youngsters all across the globe. She occupies the perch as ICC Women’s Rank 3 All Rounder in T20 format and Rank 1 bowler in the same format currently, a testament to her versatility across formats. Her crown jewel remains the ICC ODI World Cup 2025, where she was named Player of the Tournament for her match defining contributions, from economical spells to clutch runs that steered India deep into the knockout stages.
As 2025 closes, Deepti Sharma isn’t just a record holder: she’s a beacon for women’s cricket. Her journey from Agra’s dusty grounds to breaking world records embodies grit and grace. With eyes on the 2026 T20 World Cup, expect more chapters in this saga. India’s whitewash signals intent, but Sharma’s legacy already gleams eternal.
Loves all things female cricket