India’s all-rounder Deepti Sharma was recently felicitated by the West Bengal Government's Department of Youth Services and Sports for her performance in the T20 World Cup. At a time when the nation is applauding the Indian women cricketers, such a recognition puts the focus on the players who brought laurels with their stunning performance.
Sharma, an all-rounder, took to Twitter and wrote that she feels privileged. "Privileged to be felicitated by the Dept. of Youth Services and Sports, Govt. of WB. Thank you for this honour Mr Laxmi Ratan Shukla (Ex- Cricketer, MoS - Youth Services & Sports), Mr Arup Biswas (Public Works and Youth Affairs and Sports Minister) & Mr Gurbux Singh (Hockey great)," Deepti wrote.
Key Takeaways:
- After the T20 Would Cup performance, Deepti Sharma was felicitated by the West Bengal Government's Department of Youth Services and Sports.
- She played in all the matches of the T20 World Cup, scored 116 matches at an average of 38.66.
- Sharma is a left-handed batswoman in the team who holds various records.
Last year, Sharma joined in the squad of Western Storm for the KIA Super League, a women’s Twenty20 competition organised by the England and Wales Cricket Board. The 22-year-old cricketer is the second-best all-rounder in ODIs, who played in all the matches of the recently-concluded T20 World Cup, and scored 116 matches at an average of 38.66.
The young cricketer has played in 30 IT20s and 48 ODIs, taking 56 wickets at an average 27.39 with a best of six for 20 till last year. She also averages 41.81 with the bat in ODI cricket.
This year at the World Cup, she took four wickets in five games. She was also the highest wicket-taker for the Indian team in the semifinal, where she took two wickets, conceding 38 runs.
India had an impressive campaign in the tournament, but lost in the final to hosts Australia.
Also Read: Shafali Verma: India’s Youngest Shining Star Of Cricket
Career highlights
- Deepti Sharma is a left-handed batswoman in the team who holds various records in batting and bowling.
- The youngest of seven siblings, Deepti was inspired to get into cricket by her brother and father. When Deepti was just nine, she pestered her father, Bhagwan Sharma, who is a retired chief booking supervisor with Indian Railways, to allow her brother Sumit to be her cricket coach. Sumit is a former medium-pacer who represented Uttar Pradesh in the Under-22 CK Nayudu Trophy.
- One day, Sumit took Deepti to one of his net sessions at the Ekalavya Sports Stadium in Agra. Amidst his practice, Deepti’s talent was spotted by Hemlata Kala, the former India player and current chairperson of the BCCI women’s selection panel, who watched her hit the stumps with a ball in the first attempt. Kala asked Sumit about the girl with the “boy-cut” hairdo and said “Let her play. This kid will represent India someday.”
- She made her T20 debut against Australia in Sydney in January 2016, playing in her first ICC WWT20.
- This youngster from Uttar Pradesh has been a part of a 320-run partnership by the Indian women’s team — the highest ever – male or female — for a first-wicket partnership. The highest among men is 286. Deepti with Poonam Raut scored 320 vs Ireland.
- Deepti has hit 27 fours, which is the highest ever in an international women’s cricket match.
- The fierce player was the third youngest person to score 150 in international cricket — a record set by a player across genders.
- Deepti was also a part of an elite club of under-20 players with 150s to their names which till now had male cricketer till date.
Feature Image Credit: Hindustan Times
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