A sense of calm maturity defines Deepti Sharma today, a 28-year-old all-rounder who stood at the heart of India’s most defining triumph in women’s cricket.
As India, under Harmanpreet Kaur and head coach Amol Muzumdar, lifted their maiden ICC Women’s ODI World Cup title on home soil, Deepti walked away as the Player of the Tournament, a fitting recognition for one of India’s most complete cricketers.
Across nine matches, she amassed 215 runs at a strike rate of 90.33 with three half-centuries, while topping the bowling charts with 22 wickets at 20.40. Her all-round brilliance embodied India’s composure in pressure moments that culminated in a 52-run win over Laura Wolvaardt’s South Africa in the final at DY Patil Stadium, Navi Mumbai.
Ten days after that crowning moment, Deepti’s voice still carries disbelief. “Not really! Honestly, it still feels the same,” she admits with a smile. “After the final, I went to the temples and all that, but every time I see those moments again, it feels really good. It still hasn’t sunk in.”
The victory celebrations stretched across receptions from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, but for Deepti, the emotional high was personal. “These ten days have been really special. Now I’m looking forward to meeting my family and sharing the joy with them.”
Since debuting in 2014, Deepti’s evolution has symbolised India’s larger transformation. With 2,739 ODI runs at 37.01 and 162 wickets at 27.32 across 121 matches, she has grown into the game’s quiet backbone.
Reflecting on that journey, she says, “In the beginning, there were a lot of ups and downs, but I’ve learned so much, how to read situations, how to play according to what’s needed, whether as a batter, bowler, or an all-rounder. I’ve developed a lot of self-belief. Whatever the situation, semifinal or final, I know how to play my role and stay mentally strong.”
That unshakable mental strength was tested often. The scars of previous heartbreaks, a no-ball in a must-win encounter against South Africa in the 2022 edition of the ICC Women’s ODI World Cup or a dropped catch in the 2025 final, never lingered long in her mind.
“Every player makes mistakes. It’s part of the game. I try not to dwell too much; I learn from it and move on quickly. When I dropped that catch, my only thought was, ‘This is my chance, I have to do it for the team.’ When you think positively, all negative thoughts go away.”
For Deepti, India’s triumph is not just a sporting achievement but a cultural milestone. “It will have a huge impact. Earlier, we didn’t have that many matches, but after 2017, things started changing. After this trophy, I’m sure it’ll get even better. We already have pay parity now, and women’s cricket is growing fast in every possible way.”
She believes the World Cup win will inspire future generations. “When youngsters see us lifting the trophy, they’ll think, ‘If we want to play sports, we want to play cricket.’ That mentality will grow now.”
Having played crucial roles in two memorable wins over Australia, the 2017 semifinal and the 2025 one, Deepti credits belief as India’s biggest strength. “We always believed that if there’s any team that can beat Australia, it’s India. Every player had that in mind, that if we play positive cricket, results will follow. Everyone contributed when it mattered.”
Such composure was evident in the final (9.3-0-39-5), where Deepti combined precision and patience in the middle overs to break South Africa’s backbone. Supported by her captain, she stayed locked in. “Harry di kept telling me, ‘We need this wicket, and we know you’ll get it.’ That belief gave me even more confidence. I’ve always told myself, trust your own ability, your own strengths. When you truly back yourself, the results will come.”
With India’s middle order evolving, Deepti’s refined batting adaptability has been vital. “In my practice sessions, I work a lot on power hitting. The WPL played a big role. As a player, if you know when to hit and when to rotate strike, it’s not a big deal. I enjoy challenges, no matter what the situation. When it comes to my batting, I always want to play positive cricket, that’s my natural game.”
Her tactical brain extends to her bowling, especially at the death. “The camps before the World Cup really helped. I practised bowling under different conditions, even with dew around. My focus was always on using my best deliveries, especially off-spin variations, in the right areas. I also practised bowling yorkers, changing angles, going round or over the wicket, all to make sure I can help the team in any situation.”
With the T20 World Cup scheduled for 2026, Deepti is already eyeing the next frontier. “The focus will definitely be on that, but it’s part of our process. Whenever we practise now, we’ll keep that in mind.”
And as one of the early beneficiaries of the WPL ecosystem, she knows its value. “When I was MVP in 2024, that season was very different. When you share the dressing room with overseas players, you get to understand their mindset. After that, I knew what areas I had to work on and adapted accordingly. It’s helped me immensely.” She has been released by her WPL franchise, UP Warriorz, a side she led in the absence of regular skipper Alyssa Healy, ahead of the WPL 2026 mega auctions on 27th November 2025.
A World Cup title, a Player-Of-The-Tournament medal, and a decade of steady evolution, Deepti Sharma’s journey captures the essence of India’s rise in women’s cricket: resilience, self-belief, and relentless pursuit of excellence. The numbers underline her impact, but it’s her quiet confidence that defines her legacy, that of a player who didn’t just help India win but taught them how to stay winners.
(Quotes sourced from Cricbuzz)
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