In a landmark moment for Indian women’s cricket, 28-year-old all-rounder Deepti Sharma etched her name into the record books by becoming only the second Indian bowler, after the legendary Jhulan Goswami, to surpass 150 ODI wickets. More significantly, she is the first Indian spinner ever to achieve this feat in the history of women’s One-Day Internationals.
The milestone came during India’s narrow 4-run loss to England, led by skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, on 19th October 2025 at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, a contest that saw England post 288/8 before holding India to 284 in a gripping chase that went down to the final over. She returned with impressive match figures (10-0-51-4) in her spell. She got to the landmark when she dismissed Tammy Beaumont (22 off 43 balls) to break the 73-run opening stand in the 16th over of the innings.
Having made her ODI debut on 28th November 2014 against South Africa in Bengaluru, Deepti’s journey has been defined by dedication, discipline, and an innate understanding of the game. In a career spanning 117 ODIs, she has now claimed 153 wickets at an average of 27.67 and an economy of 4.33 across 116 innings. Her artistry with the ball has produced several match-winning spells, including three four-wicket hauls, one five-wicket haul, and two six-wicket hauls.
Her career-best performance remains etched in memory, a devastating 6 for 20 against Sri Lanka on 19th February 2016 at the JSCA International Stadium in Ranchi, where her precision dismantled the opposition and powered India to a convincing seven-wicket victory. That spell also earned her the Player of the Match award, offering a glimpse of the dominance that would define her international journey.
Over the years, Deepti has evolved into India’s go-to all-round option, contributing significantly with both bat and ball, while providing composure during high-pressure moments. Her recent milestone of completing 250 international appearances in India’s previous encounter against Australia, led by Alyssa Healy on 12th October 2025 at Visakhapatnam, further underscores her durability and leadership presence within the squad.
The ongoing 13th edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 30th September to 2nd November, has been a testing campaign for the hosts. Following the narrow heartbreak against England, India have now endured three consecutive defeats, leaving them fourth on the points table with 4 points from 5 games. Despite individual brilliance from Deepti Sharma, who leads the wicket-taking charts of the tournament with 13 wickets at an average of 19.69 and an economy of 5.22, the team faces a steep climb to the semi-finals.
With two must-win matches remaining, against New Zealand on 23rd October and Bangladesh on 26th October at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, India’s qualification hopes hinge on both victories and boosting their net run rate to stay ahead of New Zealand in the standings. The double-header fixture against Bangladesh will be pivotal in shaping the semifinal race, especially with Australia, South Africa, and England securing their respective spots in the semifinals of the tournament.
Despite the setbacks, Deepti’s performances have stood out as the anchor of India’s bowling attack. Her composure, accuracy, and ability to strike at crucial junctures have been instrumental in keeping India competitive in otherwise pressure-fueled encounters. Her leadership in the middle overs and knack for breakthroughs serve as guiding pillars for the younger generation of spinners emerging through the ranks.
Deepti Sharma’s 150-wicket milestone is not merely a personal triumph but a reflection of India’s evolving excellence in women’s cricket, one built on years of hard work, adaptability, and quiet resilience. As India gears up for their decisive final league matches, the team will be banking once again on Deepti’s experience and all-round brilliance to script a turnaround, keeping their World Cup dream alive on home soil.
Loves all things female cricket