A deep dive into India all-rounder Sharma’s Player of the Tournament-winning performance at the Women’s World Cup
India's Deepti Sharma during her 58 against SA at the DY Patil Stadium on Sunday. Pic/AFP
53 & 3-54 vs SL
Deepti started with a bang in the opening match of the tournament in Guwahati, scoring most of her runs (44) in a much-needed 103-run stand with Amanjot Kaur (57), which took India from a nervy 124-6 to a more stable 227-6. With the ball, she dismantled Sri Lanka’s batting order with her off-spin. She cleaned up captain Chamari Athapaththu (43) and induced errors from Kavisha Dilhari and Anushka Sanjeewani, resulting in catches. SL were bowled out for 211, losing by 59 runs.
25 & 3-45 vs PAK
On a slow wicket, where India scored 247 batting first, Deepti’s 37-ball knock was very valuable. She came in at 151-4 and gave the team some solidity at one end till 203-6. Deepti was the pick of the bowlers for India alongside Kranti Gaud (3- 20), claiming scalps of skipper Fatima Sana, Rameen Shamim and Sadia Iqbal. She effected the run out of opener Muneeba Ali and took a catch of Aliya Riaz at second slip as Pakistan were bowled out for 159.
50 & 4-51 vs ENG
Despite the match ending in a painful four-run loss for India from a position of strength, the all-rounder was outstanding again. Deepti, India’s best bowler of the match, got rid of both English openers Tammy Beaumont (22) and Amy Jones (56) along with middle order batters Emma Lamb (11) and Alice Capsey (2). She also took a catch to dismiss Sophia Dunkley (15). While chasing 289 for victory, her 57-ball knock had set India up for victory.
24 & 2-73 vs AUS
In the high-scoring semi-final, which India won in dramatic fashion, chasing 339 for victory, Deepti took wickets of Alana King and Sophie Molineux down the order. Her runs ensured India don’t lose momentum after the dismissal of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (89) at 226-3. While Jemimah Rodrigues (127 not out) held fort at one end, Deepti smashed three fours in her 17-ball stay with a strike rate of 141.17.
58 & 5-39 vs SA
She saved her best for last, becoming the first player with a half-century and a five-wicket haul in an ODI knockout match (men or women). Deepti came in at 171-3 and was dismissed off the last ball, as India posted 298-7. Her 58-ball knock was laced with three fours and a six. With the ball, Deepti claimed the prized wicket of skipper Laura Wolvaardt (101) and rattled SA’s middle and lower order. She was also part of the late run out of Ayabonga Khaka.
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