Deepti Sharma rises again when India need her most

Deepti Sharma once again proved her big‑tournament pedigree, delivering a match‑winning spell as India opened their T20 World Cup campaign with a commanding 64‑run victory over Pakistan at Edgbaston. The all‑rounder produced the finest bowling figures of her T20I career, a sensational 5 for 10, the best ever by an Indian in the Women’s T20 World Cup and the third‑best in tournament history.

Her performance echoed last year’s World Cup final, where her five‑wicket haul helped secure India’s maiden 50‑over title. Deepti said she relishes high‑pressure ICC stages, crediting her success to replicating training habits in competition and maintaining steady improvement. India’s win was built on more than her brilliance: Smriti Mandhana’s fluent 68 set up a total of 170 for 6, while Shree Charani’s 3 for 21 tightened the grip. With days before facing the Netherlands, India insist focus remains sharp and every match carries equal weight.