Star India allrounder Deepti Sharma on Sunday, November 2, became the first cricketer to complete a double of 200 runs and 15 wickets in a Women’s World Cup edition. She reached the milestone during the final
of the 2025 edition of the tournament, after taking a single off Ayabonga Khaka in India’s 45th over.
On such batting-friendly decks, there is only so much bowlers can do, but Deepti, the tournament’s leading wicket-taker with 17 scalps, will once again be key to India’s success.
But before taking the ball in her hands, Deepti ensured that her team left no runs on the field, as she brought up her half-century with a single off Marizanne Kapp, in the 48th over of India’s innings. It was her 18th fifty in ODIs and she was run out on the last ball of the innings, scoring a crucial 58.
Deepti has been in peak form this World Cup, having started with a half-century against Sri Lanka in the tournament opener. She also picked up three wickets in that game and was awarded the Player of the Match.
Deepti continued her run into the game against arch-rivals Pakistan and picked up three wickets in that match as well.
After two off-days against South Africa and Australia, Deepti came back to pick four wickets against England and also scored another half-century in that game.
Meanwhile, India, powered by Shafali Verma’s explosive 87 and Deepti’s composed fifty, posted a formidable 298/6 against South Africa in the Women’s World Cup final in Navi Mumbai on Sunday, November 2.
After a two-hour delay because of a wet outfield, India made a blazing start, with Shafali and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana (45) stitching together a 104-run opening partnership at almost seven runs an over.
Shafali, drafted in for the semifinal against Australia after Pratika Rawal’s injury, continued her dream run with her first ODI half-century in over three years, her fifth overall, before falling for 87 off 78 deliveries with seven boundaries and two sixes.
