New Delhi: India’s star spin all-rounder Deepti Sharma etched her name into the record books on Sunday, becoming the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20 Internationals after a sensational five-wicket haul against Pakistan in India’s opening match of the 2026 Women’s T20 World Cup at Edgbaston.
The 29-year-old off-spinner surpassed Thailand left-arm spinner Thipatcha Putthawong’s tally of 165 wickets to take her overall count to 166. Deepti achieved the milestone in style, returning figures of 5/10, the third-best bowling figures in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
Her spell proved decisive as India restricted Pakistan and began their campaign with a convincing victory.
Deepti struck first by breaking Pakistan’s opening partnership when Gull Feroza attempted a reverse sweep but failed to keep the ball down, offering a simple catch at backward point.
She added another wicket in her next over as Ayesha Zafar miscued a sweep shot and was caught by Smriti Mandhana at short fine leg, with Deepti using variations in pace and flight to keep the batters under constant pressure.
After a tight middle spell, the Indian spinner returned to finish the innings emphatically. She dismissed the dangerous Aliya Riaz with a slower delivery that was caught by Jemimah Rodrigues at deep midwicket.
Two balls later, Tasmia Rubab suffered a similar fate, holing out to the same fielder while trying to clear the boundary. Deepti then completed her five-wicket haul by dismissing Nashra Sandhu, who swept straight to captain Harmanpreet Kaur at short midwicket.
Speaking after receiving the Player of the Match award, Deepti credited her success to her team and faith.
“I am very grateful. I like these kinds of wickets. All credit goes to the team, and I am very grateful. Hanuman Ji is great,” she said.
Explaining her approach, Deepti added, “Because it’s turning, I varied my pace in every ball and every over. I knew I had to bowl a little slower in the air and keep believing in myself. I was never worried when I wasn’t getting wickets. I always believed that when the right time came, I would step up for the team.”
