Deepti Sharma’s record five-wicket haul against Pakistan Brings Joy to Indian Cricket Fans

Some mornings feel different, and for Indian cricket fans, Sunday was one of those mornings. Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul against Pakistan turned a normal World Cup opener into a moment that people will be talking about for years.

India beat Pakistan by 64 runs at Edgbaston in their first match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, and the win felt extra special because of the way it unfolded. While Indian fans were celebrating with full hearts, the mood on the other side of the fence was very different and quite heartbreaking for Pakistan’s players and supporters.

Deepti Sharma’s Five-Wicket Haul Against Pakistan Sets a Brand-New World Record

The twenty-eight-year-old off spinner bowled like someone who had been waiting for this exact moment for years. Her figures of 5 for 10 in just four overs are the best ever by an Indian woman in T20 World Cup history, and the numbers alone send a shiver down the spine.

With this spell, Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul against Pakistan also made her the highest wicket taker in Women’s T20 International cricket. She now has 166 wickets from 145 matches, gently stepping past Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong, who had held the record with 165 wickets.

This achievement also placed Deepti among a very small, special group. She became only the third Indian bowler to claim a five-wicket haul in a Women’s T20 World Cup, joining Priyanka Roy, who took 5 for 16 against Pakistan in 2009, and Renuka Singh Thakur, who picked up 5 for 15 against England in 2023.

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India Post A Fighting Total Thanks to Mandhana and Richa Ghosh

Before Deepti’s magic with the ball, India had to dig deep with the bat, after slipping to a worrying 18 for 2 in the early overs. For a few minutes, the nerves were real, and fans back home must have held their breath.

That is when Smriti Mandhana walked the innings back to calm waters with a gorgeous 68 off 44 balls. She added 91 valuable runs with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who contributed 36, and together they slowly rebuilt the innings with patience and class.

Just when India needed a final spark, Richa Ghosh arrived and lit up the closing overs with a fearless 34 off only 17 balls. Her brilliant assault in the second last over alone brought 23 runs, lifting India to a strong total of 170 for 6.

Deepti Sharma’s Five-Wicket Haul Against Pakistan Leaves the Chase in Ruins

Chasing 171 to win, Pakistan needed a steady start and calm heads in the middle order, but neither showed up. India’s spinners took charge early, and the pressure on Pakistan’s batters never really eased after that.

Apart from Muneeba Ali, who fought bravely for her 41 off 35 balls, the rest of the batting lineup looked completely lost. The pitch offered turn and uneven bounce, and Deepti Sharma’s five-wicket haul against Pakistan used every bit of that to perfection.

She changed her pace cleverly from ball to ball, attacked the stumps without any fear, and dismantled Pakistan’s middle and lower order one batter at a time. Left-arm spinner Shree Charani backed her up beautifully with figures of 3 for 21, while Shafali Verma also chipped in with a crucial wicket.

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Pakistan Bundled Out as India Win by a Massive 64 Runs

In the end, Pakistan could only manage 106 runs before being bowled out in 17 overs, gifting India a comfortable 64-run win in their opening match. For the players in green, it was a painful, deflating start to their World Cup journey, and the disappointment was visible on every face.

For India, though, it was the dream beginning every team hopes for. A fighting batting performance, a record-breaking spell with the ball, and a dominant win against their fiercest rivals, all packed into a single unforgettable evening.

Deepti’s Heartfelt Words After a Record-Breaking Day

After being named Player of the Match, Deepti spoke with the kind of honesty that instantly wins hearts. She said she genuinely enjoys bowling on wickets that turn, since it allows her to mix her pace every single ball and keep batters second-guessing themselves.

“I like these kinds of wickets. Because it’s turning, I varied my pace in every ball and every over, and that helped me a lot,” she said, with a calm smile that hid years of hard, quiet work behind it.

She also opened up about staying patient on the tougher days. “I just believed in myself and kept bowling in the right areas. I was never worried when I wasn’t getting wickets. I always believed that when the right time came, I would step up for the team,” she added, and you could feel the honesty in every word.

Deepti was also quick to share the credit with her teammates. “I especially want to mention Smriti and Harry Di’s partnership. From there, we got the momentum,” she said, reminding everyone that big wins are always a team effort.

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Deepti Sharma’s Five-Wicket Haul Against Pakistan Rewrites the Record Books

With 166 wickets from 145 matches, Deepti now sits right at the top of the list of most wickets in Women’s T20 Internationals, just ahead of Thipatcha Putthawong on 165, Henriette Ishimwe on 160, Megan Schutt on 152 and O Kamchomphu on 148.

Looking at five-wicket hauls by India Women in T20 World Cups, the list now proudly reads Deepti Sharma’s 5 for 10 against Pakistan in Birmingham in 2026, Renuka Thakur’s 5 for 15 against England in Gqeberha in 2023, and Priyanka Roy’s 5 for 16 against Pakistan in Taunton in 2009.

For a young fan sitting in front of the television, this match was never just about numbers. It was about belief, patience, and the quiet joy of watching hard work finally shine on the biggest stage. For Indian cricket, this win over Pakistan is a memory that supporters will hold onto for a very long time.

Disclaimer:

This article is based on publicly available match reports, player statements and statistical records as reported at the time of writing. It is intended purely for general information and news purposes. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, readers are advised to refer to official ICC and BCCI sources for the most updated scores, records and player statistics, as figures may be revised after official verification.