"Kahaan baithoon? Yahaan? Yahaan? Ya wahaan?" The question, a playful mix of confusion and mock irritation, comes from none other than Deepti Sharma, the Player of the Tournament from India's historic Women's Cricket World Cup triumph. In a hotel room temporarily transformed into a media studio, the star all-rounder humorously assesses her seating options as if they were fielding positions, finally settling on 'silly point' over 'short leg'. "Short leg pey ball bahut aati hai, aur bahut tez aati hai," she explains with animated eyes, setting the tone for a candid conversation about life after glory, pressure, and the sisterhood that powered a nation's dream.
A New Life of Recognition and Vada Pav
Life has transformed dramatically for Deepti Sharma and her teammates since they lifted the World Cup trophy on home soil. The public adulation, she admits, has reached a "next level." "From the time I board a flight to the time I get off... people are crazy about clicking selfies," she shares. A recent, simple outing for tea and vada pav in Mumbai turned into a heartwarming moment of national gratitude. Despite wearing a mask, a shopkeeper recognized her and refused payment, telling her the meal was a gift for "doing good things for the country." This gesture, Deepti says, made her immensely happy, symbolizing the deep connection the team has forged with fans.
Reflecting on the long wait since the heartbreaking loss in the 2017 final, Sharma emphasizes the team's patience. "We believe that things happen only when they are meant to happen," she states. The victory, she feels, was scripted to happen in India, a culmination of unwavering focus on the singular goal of winning the Cup, without getting distracted by the potential fame that could follow.
The Sisterhood and the Comeback Spirit
When asked to pinpoint one defining quality of this champion team, Deepti's answer is immediate: "We never give up." The learning from the 2017 final loss was crucial. The team analyzed where they fell short and committed to becoming one of the best. This resilience was tested during the recent tournament after defeats to South Africa and England. The dressing room atmosphere, she admits, was "a bit up and down," but instead of dwelling on the losses, the team held constructive discussions. "We did not want to beat ourselves up... Everyone had good morale," she recalls, highlighting the collective mindset to fight till the last ball.
She describes the dressing room as a fun, relaxed space that feels more like a sisterhood. Mimicry is a common source of laughter, with players like Jemimah Rodrigues, Harleen Deol, and Radha Yadav adept at imitating others, ensuring the mood remains light amidst the seriousness of competition.
Conquering Personal Demons and Embracing Pressure
Deepti Sharma, often handed the ball in the toughest situations, has consciously banished the ghosts of past setbacks, including the 2017 final and a costly no-ball against South Africa in 2022. "I think God sends you to this world for tough situations," she philosophizes. A challenging innings for Uttar Pradesh early in her career taught her how to hold her nerve. She carried those lessons into the World Cup, choosing to focus on emerging better from bad experiences rather than sulking over them.
Her process for handling pressure involves rigorous role-specific practice and sage advice from her brother: "focus on the present." When needed, she turns to head coach Amol Muzumdar for guidance. On the field, her success stems from the trust built with captain Harmanpreet Kaur. "Harry di always supports me... She also gives me the freedom to bowl with any plan I have," Deepti reveals, acknowledging the captain's role in her ability to deliver in all phases of the game.
Choosing a favourite wicket from the campaign is tough, but she settles on two: dismissing Laura Wolvaardt in the final and taking the last wicket of Nadine de Klerk to seal the World Cup win. She confesses to watching the clip of that final wicket on loop, a moment of pure joy she has revisited countless times.
Inspirations, Power-Hitting, and Life as a DSP
Growing up, Deepti's cricketing idols came from the men's game—Sachin Tendulkar and, in particular, Suresh Raina, whose batting style she is often compared to. She finds it "amazing" that young girls now can look up to her and her teammates as idols. To improve her batting strike rate, she relies on a simple yet effective training method: power-hitting with a heavy ball, which makes the regular leather ball feel lighter and easier to dispatch during matches.
Beyond the boundary, Deepti Sharma serves as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in the Uttar Pradesh Police. Her advice to youngsters is about balance and character. "If I'm a good human being, only then will I be able to do well at cricket," she asserts. The commitment required to wear the India jersey and win big tournaments, she believes, is the same commitment that leads to success in life.
On the evolving landscape of women's cricket, she notes a significant shift. While women once only supported the men's team, now the men's players actively support them. She applauds the BCCI for granting equal importance and pay parity, and the launch of the Women's Premier League (WPL), seeing it as a long-awaited advancement for the sport.
Roots in Agra and a Message for the Future
Hailing from Agra, a city producing a steady stream of women cricketers, Deepti credits the local passion and family support for this talent pipeline. She started at the Ekalavya stadium and has seen numerous girls rise from there. Her move to play domestic cricket for Bengal was upon the request of legends Jhulan Goswami and Sourav Ganguly, an experience she cherished, even picking up the Bengali language along the way.
To destress, Deepti turns to music, starting her day and preparing for matches with Hanuman bhajans on loop, alongside songs by Arijit Singh. As she navigates her hectic new normal, Deepti Sharma remains grounded, a testament to the patience, sisterhood, and unwavering fight that made India world champions.
