Spin bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma, who played a crucial role in India’s first Women’s World Cup title win, offered prayers at the revered Shree Mahakaleshwar Temple on Sunday. Deepti, who also serves
as a DSP in the Uttar Pradesh Police, participated in ‘aarti’ and was felicitated by the temple officials during her visit.
Last month, Deepti shone at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, leading India to a historic victory on home turf. She was named the Player of the Tournament for her consistent all-round performance throughout the event. From the disappointment of the 2017 World Cup final against England to achieving the World Cup trophy, Deepti has made significant strides. She became the first player to achieve a double of 200 runs and 20 wickets in a 50-over World Cup, regardless of gender.
VIDEO | Ujjain: Cricket World Cup Champion Deepti Sharma, who played a critical role in India’s World Cup triumph and won Player of the Series, attends the morning Aarti at Mahakal Temple with her family.#DeeptiSharma #MahakalTemple #CricketWorldCup
(Full video available on… pic.twitter.com/rzHATaDlIQ
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 9, 2025
Deepti delivered one of the greatest World Cup campaigns, scoring 215 runs in seven innings with an average of 30.71 and a strike rate of 90.33, including three fifties and a highest score of 58. She also topped the wicket-taking charts with 22 wickets in nine innings at an average of over 20, with a match-winning fifty and a five-wicket haul in the final. In the 2025 final, Deepti played a pivotal role, scoring a run-a-ball 58 and forming crucial partnerships with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh.
She also bowled a decisive spell when a 61-run stand between skipper Laura Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen threatened India’s chances, removing both set batters and securing a five-wicket haul, including the match-winning wicket of Nadine de Klerk.
“Feeling really nice, I could contribute this way in a World Cup final. We have always thought about how we can use the takeaways from every match. Thanks to them (the people), this would not have been possible. As a team, we are feeling very happy,” Deepti said with joy after India’s win.
