Deepti Sharma’s 5 for 10 is the best bowling figures by an Indian bowler in T20Is.
Chasing 171, Muneeba Ali (41 off 35) provided Pakistan with a solid foundation but their run chase unraveled completely when Deepti affected a game-changing run out to dismiss the set opener.
The middle order crumbled against Deepti (5-10 in 4 overs) and left-arm spinner Sree Charani (3-21 in 4 overs), with Pakistan losing their last seven wickets for just 31 runs to be bowled out for 106 in 17 overs.
After scripting India’s win, Deepti revealed her record-breaking spell was the result of relentless net practice and strategic revisions under bowling coach Aavishkar Salvi.
“I’m focusing on my process — the same things I do in practice, I apply in matches. These things help me, and I have to keep moving forward, keep improving,” Deepti said in the post-match presser, as quoted by TOI.
She also expressed her liking for competing in global showpiece events. “I think I like the pressure conditions and ICC tournaments; I feel I have started from where I had finished (at the ODI World Cup), so it feels good.”
Despite facing a few wicketless games in the build-up to the tournament, Deepti Sharma never doubted her ability to deliver when it mattered.
“I was not worried when I didn’t get wickets. I always believe in myself that whenever the right time comes, I’ll step up for the team, and that’s how I play and bowl,” she stated.
Deepti, who became the leading wicket-taker in the WT20I format, capitalized on the turning Birmingham pitch by bowling slower in the air, varying her pace on every delivery, and maintaining good length areas.
“I varied my pace every ball because it was turning. That helped me a lot. I just had to bowl a little slower in the air and in the right areas,” she remarked.
Deepti Sharma also dismissed the talks of being burdened by the expectations of being reigning ODI champions, noting that last year’s World Cup gave the squad confidence rather than stress.
“It doesn’t matter how you start your campaign; we got that confidence from last year’s World Cup, and we are not taking it as pressure. We just want to play our best cricket in every match,” she said.