Deepti Sharma, India’s exceptional all-rounder, has written her name into the cricketing record books by becoming the leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20 Internationals. The milestone was achieved in the final T20I of the series against Sri Lanka, played at the Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
At 28 years old, Sharma has now surpassed Australian bowler Megan Schutt to hold the record for the most wickets in this format. She entered the match level with Schutt, both having taken 151 wickets. The opportunity to break the tie and set a new record arose in the 14th over of the Sri Lankan innings.
Sharma’s delivery enticed Nilakshika Silva into playing a lofted shot that ultimately fell short of the boundary, resulting in her dismissal and Sharma’s 152nd T20I wicket. This historic scalp not only broke her tie with Schutt but also firmly established Sharma as one of the format’s premier match-winners. Sharma reached this landmark in her 130th innings, while Schutt had completed her tally in fewer innings. Beyond her bowling prowess, Sharma had already made history earlier in the series by becoming the first Indian cricketer (male or female) to secure the rare double of accumulating 1,000 runs and taking 150 wickets in T20 Internationals. Her consistent all-round performances are vital to the Indian team, providing valuable runs and crucial breakthroughs. Earlier in the year, she was also named Player of the Tournament at the Women’s ODI World Cup, demonstrating her consistent impact on the international stage.
