Deepti makes a quiet but strong statement as batter as she showed her finishing chops with a match-winning, unbeaten 62.
Deepti Sharma might easily be included in India’s ODI team just as a bowler. Her bowling prowess is evident from her three five-wicket hauls, which are the most by an Indian player in Women’s ODIs. However, there has frequently been discussion about her batting style rather than her skill.
Deepti’s strike rate across 92 ODI innings is a respectable 67.91. Despite being almost ten years into her international career, there is a common feeling that she hasn’t yet reached her full potential as a batswoman, especially for someone who typically bats in the lower middle order.
Despite hitting at 77.74 since the beginning of 2022, she is still ranked 35th out of the 57 batters who have amassed at least 500 ODI runs during this time.
In the first ODI against England on Wednesday in Southampton, she was elevated to No. 6 ahead of Richa Ghosh and Amanjot Kaur, which caused some people to take notice. In the 28th over, India was 127 for 4, and the necessary rate was quickly approaching six runs per over.
With 10 balls remaining, Deepti secured a four-wicket victory with an unbeaten 64-ball 62, forming vital partnerships with Jemimah Rodrigues (48 off 54) and Amanjot (20* off 14).
Together with Rodrigues, Deepti turned the strike and continued to pump runs, scoring 90 for the fifth wicket off of 86 balls. Deepti had made 29 off her first 31 deliveries with mostly risk-free play, but she had only hit two boundaries until her 32nd ball, when she gave Lauren Bell the charge and hammered a six over deep midwicket.
During the collaboration, Deepti mentioned that she and Rodrigues had good communication. Being ready for Lauren Filer’s brisk speed and possible short-ball strategies was one of the strategies. Every time she hit powerful lengths, Filer, who was undoubtedly the fastest bowler in the first ODI, removed lift from the surface.
It wasn’t a surprise when she bowled the ball that dismissed Rodrigues in her sixth over of her second spell. Filer found extra bounce with her short ball, and Rodrigues tried a scoop behind the wicket but could only get a tickle to the keeper. With five wickets remaining, India still needed 45 off 51 at that point.
Although England was unable to apply enough pressure from the other end, Filer persisted in bothering the batters. Deepti was fortunate on 53 when she was pressed for space and sent a top-edged pull flying to the boundary. And India was able to weather the turbulence thanks to Deepti’s practicality.
Building on their 3-0 whitewash in 2022, the victory was India’s fourth consecutive ODI triumph in England. They are developing momentum leading into the World Cup, which they will host from September 30, but Deepti isn’t thinking that far ahead yet.
“As a team we’ve done some really good things, in Sri Lanka [where India won the tri-series in April] and here also. The World Cup is a little too far. We’re not thinking about that. We’re just thinking one match at a time.”