Deepti Sharma produced one of the finest bowling displays of her T20 World Cup career as India cruised to a commanding 64-run victory over Pakistan in their opening match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 at Edgbaston. After being named Player of the Match for her sensational five-wicket haul, the experienced all-rounder humbly attributed her success to the blessings of Lord Hanuman while also praising her teammates for the memorable triumph. Speaking after the match, Deepti chose gratitude over personal glory despite delivering a game-changing performance that dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup.
Deepti Sharma offers heartfelt tribute to Lord Hanuman after memorable performance against Pakistan
Reflecting on her outstanding outing with the ball, Deepti remained humble despite producing a match-winning spell. Instead of focusing on her individual achievement, she credited the entire team for the victory and expressed deep gratitude for the support she received. She also acknowledged her faith in Lord Hanuman, saying it gave her strength and confidence during the contest. Her spell proved decisive as Pakistan’s chase collapsed dramatically after they appeared to be building momentum.
“All credit goes to the team, and I am very grateful. Hanuman Ji is great,” said Deepti after finishing with remarkable figures of 5 for 10, the best bowling returns of her T20 World Cup career.
Clever variations and patience pay rich dividends
Deepti explained that the nature of the Edgbaston surface suited her style of bowling. With assistance available for spin, she relied on subtle changes in pace rather than trying to force breakthroughs. According to the Indian all-rounder, slowing the ball through the air and consistently hitting the right areas allowed her to keep the batters guessing. She also noted that varying her speed almost every delivery helped create pressure and eventually led to wickets. The performance highlighted not only her skill but also her experience in reading conditions and adapting quickly during high-pressure matches.
“I like these kinds of wickets. I think because it’s turning, I varied my pace with every ball and every over. That helped me a lot. I believe in myself and I bowl a little slower in the air, and I focus on the right areas. That’s what I was doing,” added Deepti.
India recover strongly before bowlers take charge
India’s innings had begun on an uncertain note after slipping to 18 for 2 early on. However, Smriti Mandhana steadied the innings with a fluent 68 off 44 deliveries, laying the platform for a competitive score. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur added valuable runs with a composed 36, while Richa Ghosh provided late acceleration through a blistering 34 from just 17 balls. Their efforts lifted India to an imposing 170 for 6 after 20 overs. Pakistan’s reply started positively enough, with Muneeba Ali making 41 and helping her side reach 75 for 3. But once Deepti found her rhythm, the chase unraveled rapidly.
Deepti’s incisive spell sparked an extraordinary collapse in which Pakistan lost their final seven wickets for only 31 runs. She also contributed in the field with a sharp direct-hit run-out that further dented the opposition’s hopes. Young spinner Shree Charani impressed on her World Cup debut by claiming 3 for 21, cleaning up the lower order and ensuring Pakistan were bowled out for 106 in just 17 overs.
Deepti also admitted that ICC tournaments bring out the best in her, saying she has always enjoyed performing on the biggest stages. Judging by her match-winning display against Pakistan, India will hope that trend continues as they chase World Cup glory in 2026.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
