Deepti Sharma once again proved why she remains one of the most reliable all-rounders in world cricket, delivering a decisive bowling performance of 3/18 that strangled Sri Lanka Women through the middle overs and ensured India Women stayed firmly in control of the match. Her spell came at a crucial juncture, turning pressure into wickets and effectively ending any realistic hopes of a Sri Lankan comeback.
Defending a competitive total of 167/5, India needed discipline rather than drama — and Deepti provided exactly that. Introduced once the powerplay ended, she immediately applied the brakes. With Sri Lanka attempting to rebuild after a cautious start, Deepti’s accuracy, subtle changes of pace, and sharp understanding of angles made run-scoring an uphill task.
Her first breakthrough came by forcing a batter into a false shot with a delivery that held its line just enough to beat the bat. That wicket disrupted Sri Lanka’s attempt to form a stabilising partnership and tilted momentum decisively India’s way. From that point on, the chase began to unravel.
What set Deepti apart was her control. She rarely offered width, bowled at a probing length, and varied her pace cleverly without telegraphing changes. The result was dot-ball pressure — a critical factor in T20 cricket. As the required run rate climbed, Sri Lankan batters were forced into riskier options, playing directly into India’s hands.
Her second wicket came as Sri Lanka tried to counterattack. A flighted delivery tempted the batter into an ambitious shot, only for timing to fail under pressure. That dismissal marked the turning point of the innings. From there, Sri Lanka shifted from calculated chasing to survival mode — a clear sign that the game had slipped away.
Deepti’s third wicket capped off a near-perfect spell. By then, Sri Lanka’s middle order had been neutralised, and the tail was exposed earlier than planned. The figures — 3 wickets for just 18 runs — don’t merely reflect economy; they underline dominance. In a format where margins are slim, spells like this are match-defining.
Beyond the wickets, Deepti’s role allowed India’s captain to rotate other bowlers with confidence. With the middle overs locked down, India could attack at both ends — using pace variations and aggressive fields without fear of leakage. That tactical freedom is invaluable and often understated.
From a series standpoint, Deepti’s performance summed up India Women’s approach throughout the tour: disciplined, methodical, and ruthless when opportunities arose. While the spotlight naturally fell on Smriti Mandhana’s batting heroics, Deepti’s contribution ensured those runs mattered. Big totals only translate into wins when bowlers defend them intelligently — and Deepti did exactly that.
For Sri Lanka Women, Deepti’s spell highlighted a recurring issue across the series: difficulty in rotating strike against quality spin during the middle overs. Without consistent singles and boundary options, pressure mounted rapidly, leading to soft dismissals and stalled momentum.
In modern T20 cricket, spinners are no longer just defensive options — they are control specialists and wicket-takers. Deepti Sharma embodies that evolution perfectly. Her 3/18 was not flashy, but it was devastatingly effective.
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