Deepti Sharma: India’s Rising Cricket Star
Deepti Sharma is one of the most compelling names in modern women’s cricket. With both bat and ball, she has established herself as a genuine all-rounder for India. Her rise has inspired many young cricketers across the country.
In this article, we explore her background, milestones, playing style, and what the future might hold for this dynamic player.
Early Life and Cricket Beginnings of Deepti Sharma
Deepti Bhagwan Sharma was born on 24 August 1997 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh. ESPN Cricinfo+2Her Circle+2
Her father, Bhagwan Sharma, was a railway employee, and she had siblings who also had some interest in sports. untoldlifestory.com+2Her Circle+2
Her early exposure to the game came via her brother, who used to practice cricket — Deepti would accompany him to ground sessions. Sportskeeda+2Tweak India+2
A turning point came when she threw a stray ball back to stumps from distance and impressed a coach, leading to formal training. Tweak India+2Her Circle+2
She began her domestic career with Uttar Pradesh and later moved to Bengal in domestic circuits. ESPN Cricinfo+2ZAP Cricket+2
International Debut and Breakthroughs
Debut & Early Impact
Deepti made her ODI debut for India on 28 November 2014 against South Africa at Bengaluru — she was just 17 at that time. icc+4Cricbuzz+4ESPN Cricinfo+4
She bowled her full 10 overs in that match and picked up figures of 2/35. BCCI+2Cricbuzz+2
Later, she also made her T20I debut, showcasing early promise with her off-spin. BCCI+2Cricbuzz+2
Landmark Performances & Records
One of her most striking batting moments came when she scored 188 runs in a Women’s One Day International against Ireland. Vocal+5BCCI+5ESPN Cricinfo+5
That same match featured a world record opening partnership of 320 runs (with Poonam Raut) — the first such 300+ stand in women’s ODIs. Tweak India+3Sportskeeda+3BCCI+3
As a bowler, she has picked up multiple five-wicket hauls in international cricket, including a best of 6/20 in an ODI. BCCI+2icc+2
She has also become the first Indian woman to cross the mark of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in T20 Internationals. BCCI+1
Playing Style & Strengths
Batting Edge
Deepti is a left-handed batter who can play both stabilizing and attacking roles. ZAP Cricket+4ESPN Cricinfo+4icc+4
Her range of shots includes powerful hitting to midwicket and elegant inside-out drives, making her dangerous in the middle or lower order. ZAP Cricket+3icc+3Tweak India+3
She can also assume a top-order role at times, given her technique and match reading. Reuters+2icc+2
Bowling & Fielding
Her bowling is right-arm off-spin, and she uses subtle variations and flight rather than brute pace. Cricbuzz+4Wikipedia+4BCCI+4
She has a knack for breaking partnerships and regularly bowls in critical phases — powerplays or death overs. icc+2BCCI+2
In the field, she is agile and alert, saving runs and taking key catches. Her Circle+3ESPN Cricinfo+3icc+3
Domestic, Franchise & League Highlights
Domestic Achievements
In domestic circuits, Deepti has represented Uttar Pradesh and later Bengal. icc+3ESPN Cricinfo+3ZAP Cricket+3
In the 2023–24 Senior Women’s Inter Zonal Multi-Day Trophy, she was Player of the Series, scoring most runs and taking most wickets. Wikipedia
Franchise Leagues & Captaining
She has played in global leagues: Western Storm (England), Sydney Thunder (Australia), London Spirit (The Hundred) among others. Wikipedia+2icc+2
In the Indian Women’s Premier League (WPL), Deepti was signed by UP Warriorz for ₹2.6 crore in 2023, making her one of the highest valued Indian players. Her Circle+5Wikipedia+5Womens Premier League+5
In 2024, she performed brilliantly in WPL and was awarded Player of the Series. Tweak India+3Womens Premier League+3Wikipedia+3
Ahead of WPL 2025, she was appointed captain of UP Warriorz, taking over from Alyssa Healy. Tweak India+3Reuters+3Womens Premier League+3
As captain, she has expressed her desire to bat higher and lead by example. Reuters
Recent Form & 2025 World Cup
In the opening match of the 2025 ICC Women’s World Cup, India beat Sri Lanka by 59 runs. Deepti starred with both bat and ball in that game. The Times of India+2The Times of India+2
In that match, she helped India recover after a collapse, adding crucial runs and taking key wickets. The Guardian+2The Times of India+2
In that same game, she became India’s second-highest wicket-taker in women’s ODI history, surpassing many veterans. The Times of India+1
She also withdrew from The Hundred 2025 to manage her workload and avoid burnout. The Times of India
Her decision highlights how top players now manage fitness and longevity carefully.
Challenges & Criticisms
Deepti’s journey hasn’t been without hurdles.
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Injuries / workload: Balancing multiple formats, domestic leagues, and national duties is taxing. Her withdrawal from The Hundred is a sign of this strain. The Times of India
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Backlash / controversies: During Jhulan Goswami’s farewell match, she ran out Charlie Dean backing up, which sparked strong reactions from English fans. The Guardian+1
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Expectations: With skyrocketing success comes pressure to consistently perform. She is often compared to senior stars, and expectations rise with every tournament.
Despite these, Deepti has shown mental resilience, focusing on her game and staying grounded. Tweak India+2icc+2
Impact Beyond the Field
Deepti Sharma’s story goes beyond runs and wickets.
She represents a new generation of Indian women cricketers who are shaping the sport’s future. Her journey from a small-town girl to a high-value leader in WPL inspires young girls to dream big.
She also sets examples in managing pressure, workload, and professionalism — crucial traits as women’s cricket globalizes further.
Her stature as an all-rounder helps enrich India’s balance in team composition across formats.
Future Outlook for Deepti Sharma
Looking ahead, a few prospects stand out:
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Leadership roles: Her captaincy at UP Warriorz might be a precursor to leadership in the national side.
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Record chasing: She is well poised to become India’s top wicket-taker in ODIs and T20Is if consistency continues.
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Role evolution: She may bat more up the order and take on more responsibility with the ball.
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Mentorship & legacy: As her career matures, she may mentor younger players or contribute off the field to development.
👉 You can also read: Profiles of other Indian women cricketers like Smriti Mandhana or Harmanpreet Kaur for internal context.
👉 Reference: Wikipedia (Deepti Sharma) Wikipedia
Conclusion: Deepti Sharma – A Name to Watch
Deepti Sharma’s journey from Agra to international stardom demonstrates talent, persistence, and growth. Her all-round abilities make her a rare asset for India’s women’s team.
As she plays key roles in franchise leagues, leads teams, and competes on the world stage, Deepti Sharma continues to evolve. In the years ahead, she may well be central to India’s successes and an enduring name in women’s cricket.
Her story isn’t just about records — it’s about inspiring change and raising the bar. Deepti Sharma is not just a player; she is becoming a legacy.
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