Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Deepti Sharma scripted history during India’s Women’s Asia Cup opener against Thailand, becoming the leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is. The veteran all-rounder produced a sensational spell in Dubai as India began their campaign with a commanding 94-run victory.
India, who posted 159/9 after being asked to bat first, needed their bowlers to defend what was a competitive but not unassailable total. Deepti stepped up when India needed her, claiming three wickets without conceding a run to finish with remarkable figures of 3/0 from 1.1 overs.
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The performance also took her to 171 wickets in Women’s T20Is, moving her clear at the top of the all-time list. She had entered the contest level with Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong and needed just one wicket to take sole possession of the record.
Speaking after the match, Deepti, who also played her 150th T20I, stressed the importance of focusing on her own performance and contributing to the team rather than looking too far ahead.
“Yes, definitely. I don’t think about who is going to play next. I just always believe in myself and focus on how I can keep getting better each and every day and help my team, especially the bowlers. That’s what I always do. As a group, it’s a great start to the tournament. There are more games to come, but it’s always about building momentum when it comes to winning the first game,” Deepti told the broadcasters after the match.
DEEPTI’S SEVEN-BALL MASTERCLASS TURNS THE GAME
Deepti was introduced into the attack in the ninth over and made an immediate impact. She began with a length delivery that turned sharply into Naomi Hamilton, beating the inside edge and striking her in front of the stumps. Two balls later, Nannaphat Chaihan attempted to attack a shorter delivery but mistimed her shot to short mid-wicket.
Deepti therefore completed a double-wicket maiden, finishing the over with two wickets and no runs conceded.
She returned later in the innings to complete the milestone. Thailand’s Nannapat Koncharoenkai, who had offered some resistance with 41 off 48 balls, attempted to defend a tossed-up delivery. The sharp turn took the inside edge onto her pads before the ball lobbed towards the off side, where Richa Ghosh completed a sharp diving catch.
That wicket was Deepti’s 171st in the format and confirmed her as the outright leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20Is.
Thailand were eventually bowled out for 65 in 16.1 overs, with Deepti’s extraordinary spell playing a crucial role in India’s emphatic victory and giving the defending champions the perfect start to their Asia Cup campaign.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
