Deepti Sharma produced a landmark performance in India’s opening game of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup 2026, becoming only the third Indian woman after skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana to complete 150 T20I appearances. The 29-year-old all-rounder marked the occasion with a three-wicket haul against Thailand at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on 30th August, while also becoming the leading wicket-taker in the T20I format.
Playing against Thailand, led by stand-in skipper Thipatcha Putthawong, Deepti entered the milestone match with 168 T20I wickets to her name. Thipatcha Putthawong, who had 169 wickets before the contest, was the leading wicket-taker in the format ahead of the clash. Deepti’s exceptional spell of 1.1-1-0-3 helped her move beyond the Thailand captain and take the top spot on the all-time list.
The Indian all-rounder accounted for the wickets of Thailand’s wicket-keeper batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai, who scored 41 off 48 balls, Naomi Hamilton, who made 1 off 3, and Nannaphat Chaihan, who was dismissed for a duck from two deliveries. Her intervention played a decisive role as Thailand were bundled out for 65 in 16.1 overs, handing India a commanding 94-run victory.
Earlier, Deepti Sharma contributed 5 off 7 balls at No. 7 during India’s first innings. Her brief stay included one boundary as India posted 159/9 in their allotted 20 overs. Although her contribution with the bat was modest, her impact with the ball underlined her value as one of India’s most dependable all-rounders.
Deepti Sharma made her international debut in an ODI against South Africa at Bengaluru on 28th November 2014 before making her T20I debut against Australia at Sydney on 31st January 2016. Since then, she has collected 171 wickets at an average of 19.58 and an economy rate of 6.34 in 147 innings across 150 T20I matches, including a four-wicket haul and two five-wicket hauls. Her finest T20I bowling performance came earlier in 2026 during India’s match against Pakistan at Birmingham in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. On 14th June, Deepti returned remarkable figures of 4-0-10-5, guiding India to a 64-run victory and earning the Player of the Match award for her all-round impact.
With the bat, Deepti has scored 1,275 T20I runs at a strike rate of 107.05 and an average of 22.36 in 97 innings, including two half-centuries. Her best batting performance came against the United Arab Emirates at Sylhet on 4th October 2022, when she smashed 64 off 49 balls at No. 3. Her innings featured five boundaries and two sixes, helping India reach 178/5 before securing a 104-run victory.
As the sixth edition of the ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup continues from 28th August to 13th September 2026, Deepti Sharma’s latest achievement adds another significant chapter to an international career defined by consistency, adaptability and match-winning influence.
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