The Women in Blue are currently hosting the Proteas for a multi-format series commencing from June 16 to July 9. The series begins with the first of three One-Day Internationals at Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, followed by a one-off, four-day red-ball Test match, and three Twenty20 Internationals, all in Chennai. In the first ODI of the series, all-rounder Deepti Sharma became the first Indian woman to complete 2000 One-Day International runs along with 100 ODI wickets.
Deepti Sharma is a key all-rounder for the Indian team, renowned for her ability to take wickets at crucial moments and score essential runs in the lower middle order. In the ongoing ODI series between India and South Africa, Deepti achieved the remarkable milestone of playing her 200th international match in the first ODI and celebrated by completing 2000 ODI runs along with her existing tally of 100 ODI wickets, which she achieved by claiming Phoebe Litchfield’s wicket in the 3rd ODI on January 2, 2024, during Australia’s tour of India.
In the first ODI of the bilateral series, Deepti came to bat when India’s score was 99 runs for the loss of 5 wickets, with Smriti Mandhana batting at the other end. She forged a crucial partnership of 81 runs with her fellow opener, which significantly stabilized India’s innings. Their efforts helped India reach a total of 265 runs for the loss of 8 wickets by the end of allotted 50 overs.
Deepti made her international debut at the tender age of 17 and has been a consistent performer for the Indian team ever since. Her ODI debut came on November 28, 2014, against South Africa during the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. This first ODI against South Africa in the current bilateral series marks her 200th overall appearance in international cricket. Deepti Sharma has achieved the remarkable feat of becoming the first Indian woman to accumulate 2000 runs and take 100 wickets in ODIs, placing her among the top 10 players globally to achieve this milestone. She is also the fifth youngest player to accomplish this feat.
Youngest to complete the duo of 2000 ODI runs and 100 ODI wickets:
Stafanie Taylor – 23y 150d
Dane Van Niekerk – 25y 268d
Hayley Matthews – 26y 34d
Ellyse Perry – 26y 239d
Deepti Sharma – 26y 297d