Deepti Sharma

IND
IND
All-Rounder
All-Rounder
Deepti Sharma

Player Bio

Deepti Sharma is an all-rounder cricketer from India who has made significant contributions to the Indian national team. She is an explosive left-handed batswoman and a right-arm off-break bowler, known for her versatility. With her impressive playing style, Deepti has established herself as one of the top-rated all-rounders in women's cricket. Her dedication and passion for the game have taken her to great heights, and she continues to make headlines with her performances in various tournaments.

Early Life and Background

Deepti Sharma was born on 24 August 1997, in Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. She grew up in a family of six siblings and was the youngest among them. Her father, Bhagwan Sharma, was a retired chief booking supervisor for the Indian Railways. At the age of nine, Deepti developed an interest in cricket, inspired by her brother Sumit Sharma's success on local cricketing circuits.

Initially, Deepti would model Sumit's bowling action after Lakshmipathy Balaji but later shifted to spin bowling due to her height and natural release of the ball suited spin bowling more than medium-paced bowling. Despite being overlooked for state selections initially due to her age, she gained experience by attending nets at Railway Camps in Delhi and Allahabad thanks to Hemlata Kala's support.

Rise to Prominence

Deepti's talent was recognized when she accidentally hit the stumps while tossing the ball back into the ground during a practice session at one such camp. Hemlata Kala noticed her and predicted that she would represent India someday despite being only 15 years old at that time.

Deepti made her international debut for India on 28 November 2014 against South Africa in Bengaluru. Despite India's loss in that match, she recorded impressive bowling figures and made crucial breakthroughs.

She went on to achieve several milestones before the age of 20. Deepti was involved in a world record-opening partnership of 320 runs with Poonam Raut and broke the previous women's record of 229 and men's record of 286 in ODIs. She also holds the record for the third-highest individual scorer by a woman cricketer in ODIs (188 runs). 

Deepti has been named in India's squad for various tournaments, including the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup, where she picked up twelve wickets and scored 216 runs. She also played for Western Storm in the Kia Super League, where her all-round performance helped them win their first title.

Cricketing Career

Deepti Sharma has played for Bengal and Birmingham Phoenix domestically. In international cricket, she has represented India across formats.

In Test cricket, Deepti made her debut against England in June 2021. She showed her all-around talent by scoring a half-century and taking four wickets overall during the match.

In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Deepti has achieved impressive statistics. Her best bowling figures are 6-20 against Sri Lanka at Ranchi. With her left-handed batting prowess, she has managed to score over 1000 runs at an average of around 34, which includes five half-centuries.

In T20 cricket, Deepti has also showcased her skills as an all-rounder. Her highest score is an unbeaten 49 and her best bowling figures are two wickets for eight runs against South Africa at East London.

Deepti Sharma currently ranks third in the top all-rounders in the ICC Cricket Rankings and continues to be an integral part of India's national team.

Major Tournaments and Series

Deepti Sharma has made a name for herself in international cricket through her impressive performances in various major tournaments and series. The all-rounder has been a crucial part of the Indian women's cricket team and has played an integral role in their success in several ICC tournaments.

In the 2017 Women's Cricket World Cup, Deepti was a key player for India, scoring 216 runs and picking up 12 wickets. She played a vital role in helping India reach the final, where they were beaten by England. Deepti's all-around performance throughout the tournament earned her widespread praise from fans and experts alike.


The following year, she was named in India's squad for the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20. She played a significant role in helping India reach the semi-finals of the tournament; however, they were knocked out by England. Deepti's consistent performances with both bat and ball made her one of the standout players of the tournament.

Apart from ICC tournaments, Deepti has also shone in other major series against significant opponents. In 2019, she played for Western Storm in the Kia Super League, where she scored 119 runs at an average of 19.83 and picked up six wickets with an economy rate of just over six.

In domestic cricket, Deepti's performances have been exceptional as well. During her debut senior women's domestic season with Bengal in 2017-18, she emerged as the top run-scorer with 312 runs at a strike rate of 65.13. Deepti is currently playing for Sydney Thunder in WBBL (Women’s Big Bash League) season 7 and will represent London Spirit during The Hundred inaugural season.

Playing Role and Skills

Deepti Sharma is an all-rounder who has made a significant impact in international cricket with her batting, bowling, and fielding skills. She is primarily a left-handed batter who can also bowl off-spin with her right hand.

Deepti's strength with the bat lies in her ability to anchor the innings and build partnerships. She is known for her grittiness and resilience, which have helped her score runs consistently at various levels of cricket. Deepti's highest score of 188 in ODI cricket is proof of her batting prowess.

With the ball, Deepti is a canny off-break bowler who can extract turn from most surfaces. Her natural variation in flight and pace has often troubled even the best batters. She holds the record for the best bowling figures by an Indian woman cricketer, having taken six wickets for just 20 runs against Sri Lanka in an ODI at Ranchi.

Apart from her primary role as an all-rounder, Deepti has also shown exemplary fielding skills during various matches. Her agility and quick reflexes make her one of the best fielders in the Indian team.

Personality and Off-the-Field Persona

Deepti Sharma is known for being a dedicated and hardworking individual both on and off the field. Despite achieving remarkable success at a young age, she remains grounded and focused on improving herself as a player.

Deepti's leadership qualities have been evident through her captaincy experiences at various levels of cricket. She possesses excellent man-management skills that enable her to bring out the best in her teammates.

Off the field, Deepti enjoys listening to music and spending time with family and friends. She is actively involved in philanthropic activities such as promoting women's empowerment through cricket.

In terms of brand endorsements, Deepti has been associated with several renowned brands such as Adidas Cricket and Red Bull. Her popularity among fans has increased significantly over the years, and she continues to be an inspiration to young girls who aspire to play cricket at the highest level.

In terms of recent news, Deepti was named in India’s squad for the 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup and the cricket tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. She will undoubtedly be a crucial player for India in these tournaments, given her impressive track record in major tournaments and series. Deepti Sharma's net worth is estimated to be around INR 2 crore, which includes earnings from her professional cricketing career and brand endorsements.

Legacy and Impact

Deepti Sharma has made a significant impact on the game of cricket, both in India and internationally. Her versatility as an all-rounder and her ability to perform in high-pressure situations make her a valuable asset for any team she plays for. Deepti's success has inspired young women cricketers across the country to pursue sports seriously, breaking stereotypes about gender roles in India.

Deepti holds several records in international cricket, including being the third-highest individual scorer by a woman cricketer in ODIs. Her partnership with Poonam Raut is also a world record-breaking opening partnership of 320 runs. The fact that she broke men's records speaks volumes about her skills as a cricketer.

Her precision in off-spin bowling and hard-hitting batting have earned her praise from various quarters of the cricketing world. With time, Deepti will become one of the most celebrated women cricketers to have ever played the sport.

Recognition and Awards

Deepti Sharma has received numerous awards throughout her career, recognizing her outstanding performances on-field. She was awarded the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Domestic Senior Women's Cricketer in 2018.

Deepti's leadership qualities were first noticed when she led Bengal to victory in their first match at the senior domestic level by scoring an unbeaten 89 off just 65 balls and picking up two wickets against Jharkhand during the Senior Women's T20 tournament.

She was also named one of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack Five Cricketers of the Year for 2019, which is considered one of the highest honours that can be bestowed upon any player.

Deepti Sharma is undoubtedly one of India's finest women cricketers of all time. Her ability to play multiple roles, both as a batter and bowler, has made her an asset for any team she plays for. Her achievements in the sport at such a young age are unmatched and make her one of the most promising athletes to watch out for.

Deepti's contributions to Indian cricket have been immense, inspiring young girls across the country to pursue their dreams, irrespective of gender stereotypes. She has emerged as a role model who symbolizes hard work and dedication towards achieving excellence in sports. As Deepti continues to shine on the cricket field, her legacy will only continue to grow, making her one of India's brightest stars in women's cricket.

FAQs
What are some notable records held by Deepti Sharma?
Deepti Sharma holds the record for the third-highest individual score in Women's One-Day Internationals (188 runs). She also achieved the second-highest maiden hundred in Women's ODIs (188 runs) and has one of the outstanding bowling analyses in an innings (6/20).
What is Deepti Sharma's highest score in an ODI match?
Deepti Sharma scored 188 runs against Ireland at Senwes Park, Potchefstroom on 15th May 2017, which makes her the third-highest individual scorer by a woman cricketer in ODIs.
When did Deepti Sharma make her international debut?
Deepti made her international debut for India on 28th November 2014 against South Africa in Bengaluru.
Has Deepti Sharma received any major awards for her performances?
Yes, Deepti was awarded the Jagmohan Dalmiya Trophy for Best Domestic Senior Women's Cricketer in 2018 and was also named one of Wisden Cricketers' Almanack Five Cricketers of the Year for 2019.
Is Deepti Sharma currently part of India's team playing test cricket?
Yes, Deepti made her Test debut for India against England in June 2021 and is part of India's team for the upcoming 2022 Women's Cricket World Cup and cricket tournament at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.