In a historic moment for Indian cricket, all-rounder Deepti Sharma has etched her name into the record books by becoming the highest wicket-taker in women's T20 International cricket. The landmark achievement came during the fifth and final T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, where India completed a dominant 5-0 series sweep.
A Landmark Wicket and a Record Toppled
Deepti Sharma, playing her 133rd T20I, claimed her 152nd career wicket to surpass the previous record held by Australian pace bowler Megan Schutt, who has 151 scalps. The historic moment arrived in the 14th over of the Sri Lankan innings when Deepti dismissed batter Nilakshika Silva. This pivotal wicket not only cemented her place at the pinnacle of women's T20I bowling but also played a crucial role in India's 15-run victory while defending a target of 175.
With figures of one for 28 from her four overs in that match, Deepti's consistency was on full display. The record-breaking feat places her ahead of a distinguished list of bowlers. Following Schutt, Pakistan's Nida Dar holds the third position with 144 wickets from 152 innings.
An All-Round Phenomenon
This week has been particularly monumental for the 28-year-old cricketer. Just days before breaking the wicket-taking record, Deepti Sharma achieved another extraordinary milestone. She became the first cricketer ever, across both men's and women's international cricket, to score 1,000 runs and take 150 wickets in T20Is. This unparalleled all-round accomplishment underscores her immense value to the Indian team.
Her status as a world-class all-rounder is further validated by her current No. 1 ranking in the ICC Women's T20I all-rounder rankings. Deepti was also the Player of the Tournament at the 2025 ICC Women's World Cup, a tournament where India clinched their maiden title on home soil.
Indian Bowling Dominance and Future Prospects
Deepti Sharma's success highlights the strength of India's bowling attack in the shortest format. The only other Indian bowler to have crossed the 100-wicket mark in women's T20Is is Radha Yadav, who has 103 wickets from 86 innings. Across all formats, Deepti has a formidable tally of 20 wickets in Tests and 162 in ODIs, showcasing her versatility.
Her market value reflects her superstar status. At the recent Women's Premier League auction, Deepti Sharma rejoined UP Warriorz for a staggering Rs 3.2 crore, marking the second-highest bid in the league's history.
The comprehensive series win against Sri Lanka has also caused significant movement in the latest ICC rankings, with Indian players making notable gains. While Deepti continues to hold the top spot among T20I bowlers, the top all-rounder ranking is held by West Indies skipper Hayley Matthews.
Deepti Sharma's journey from a promising talent to a record-breaking, world-number-one all-rounder is a testament to her skill, dedication, and consistency. As she continues to break barriers and set new benchmarks, she firmly establishes herself as one of the greatest all-rounders the women's game has ever seen.
