Deepti Sharma

Hailing from the small city of Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, Deepti Sharma is a rising all-rounder and one of the best in the business. A useful spinner, Deepti is especially noted for her high level of maturity, which is ironic considering she is one of the youngest in the national squad.

Deepti started her career as a medium-pacer before shifting to off-spin. She was rejected twice in the U-19 state trials for being too young. During her attempt for the U19 Uttar Pradesh team, Deepti scored 65 runs and picked three wickets in her debut match, and made it to the team in 2010. For the next two years, Deepti trained hard and played well for the U-19 UP side. However, it was a 114 against the Vidarbha women in Kanpur that allowed her to break into the senior team.

Her solid performances in the domestic circuit ensured that she got a well-deserved call-up for India A. In 2014, Deepti scored an unbeaten 53 for India A and earned her maiden National team call-up.

Deepti made her ODI International debut in 2014 against South Africa in the 2014 ICC Women’s Championship held in India. She had a forgetful first innings as she scored just 1 run off 18 balls before being dismissed, but she scalped two wickets of well-set batters. She ended with a figure of 2/35 in an impressive debut. 

Deepti Sharma was a part of the historic 320-run partnership with Punam Raut against Ireland in May 2017, which is the highest stand by any cricketing pair in both men's and women’s divisions. She scored an incredible century, smashing 27 fours to score 188 off 160 balls.

Deepti’s career highlight was the 2017 ICC Women’s World Cup, where she was one of the best all-rounders in the competition. She started the competition with the best bowling figures of 3/47 in India’s thumping win over England. Although she was impressive throughout the group stage, her best performance came in the final stages of the competition. In the semifinals against Australia, Deepti scored 25 runs and scalped three wickets for 59 runs as India won the match by 36 runs.

Added to the Indian side for the 2018 ICC Twenty20 World Cup, Deepti just took 5 wickets throughout the competition, with her best being 2 for 15 in 3 overs against Ireland. In the semis against England, Deepti finished with 1/24 and scored 7 runs. However, it was not enough to stop the well-determined English side. 

In January 2020, she was added to the Women’s team for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Deepti played an unbeaten inning of 49 before Poonam Yadav’s brilliance ensured the champions were bowled out for 115 in their first group match against the Aussies.

It all began in June 2021, when Deepti was handed her much-anticipated Test debut against England. It was like opening a new chapter in a book that had been building to this moment. She showed her adaptability and calmness under pressure, seamlessly transitioning from limited-overs cricket to the demands of Test cricket. With both bat and ball, Deepti displayed the kind of maturity that belied her years, proving she was ready to rise to any challenge.

But Deepti’s ambitions stretched far beyond India’s shores. Later in the year, she set her sights on the exciting new format of The Hundred in England. Representing London Spirit, she entered a world where time was compressed and every ball counted. It was a tournament that allowed her to dance with the game’s biggest names and sharpen her skills in a new, thrilling environment. The short, explosive format gave her the chance to push her limits, as she refined her technique and strengthened her resolve on foreign soil.

As if her calendar wasn’t already packed with landmark moments, Deepti found herself heading to the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) in Australia. With Sydney Thunder, she immersed herself in the fast-paced, high-pressure world of one of the toughest T20 leagues in the world. The WBBL was like a proving ground where Deepti’s all-round capabilities were tested to their fullest. Whether it was with the bat in hand or the ball in her grasp, Deepti adapted to the Australian conditions and honed her craft, learning from the best in the business.

It started with the Women’s Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, where the green fields became a canvas for Deepti to paint her legacy. The tournament wasn’t just about the bat and the ball; it was about moments that defined careers. Deepti, always the silent architect, played her part with quiet brilliance. When India’s innings needed stability, she was there — a steady hand in the storm. With the ball, she was a silent disruptor, slicing through opposition batting lines, giving nothing away. She was the pulse of the team, even as India’s journey in the tournament didn’t go as hoped. But it wasn’t the final result that mattered — it was how Deepti stepped up when the spotlight called for a hero.

Then came the Commonwealth Games in 2022, a glittering moment in cricket’s history as women’s cricket made its debut. The Indian team, under the vibrant leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur and with players like Deepti at the core, was on a mission to make their mark. Deepti’s bat sang a rhythm of resilience and power, each shot an echo of her determination. With the ball, she danced through the overs, a perfect blend of grace and precision. But it was the team’s collective spirit that shone through. Deepti played a crucial role in the team’s march to the final, where, despite their best efforts, they were halted by Australia. Silver, however, was no small consolation. It was a symbol of how far the women’s team had come — and Deepti was right at the heart of that transformation.

In the inaugural Women’s Premier League (WPL) auction, Deepti found herself snapped up by UP Warriorz for a staggering INR 2.6 crore, making her the second-most expensive Indian player after Smriti Mandhana. That price tag wasn’t just a number; it was a reflection of Deepti’s value, not only to her team but to the growing landscape of women’s cricket. 

The WPL 2023 season unfolded like a blockbuster movie where Deepti played her part to perfection. Representing UP Warriorz, she showcased all the qualities that made her one of the game’s premier all-rounders. With the ball, Deepti wasn’t just a bowler; she was a weapon — an unyielding force in the middle overs, breaking partnerships and drying up runs. She finished as the team’s second-highest wicket-taker, claiming 9 wickets and being a constant threat to the opposition. With the bat, though she wasn’t called upon as often, she remained a calm and steady presence, ready to contribute whenever needed.

The highlight of the year came in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where Deepti Sharma did what no Indian bowler had done before — she became the first Indian to take a hat-trick in the WPL 2024. The historic moment came during a high-stakes match against the Delhi Capitals, when Deepti delivered a spell that left the opposition in awe. 

As the year continued, Deepti’s remarkable consistency didn’t go unnoticed. She was named to the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year 2024, a well-deserved recognition of her all-around contributions. Her performances were a beacon for the future of Indian cricket, highlighting the depth and skill of the women’s team.

In 2025, Deepti Sharma stepped into a new role that further highlighted her leadership potential and ever-growing influence in the cricketing world. As UP Warriorz's newly appointed captain, she embraced the responsibility with an enthusiasm that mirrored the boldness of her play. Her leadership wasn’t about merely overseeing the team—it was about inspiring them, pushing them to be daring and innovative. 

(As of May 2025)