Cricket
oi-Ashish Rana
Indian women cricketer Deepti Sharma played an crucial role to women’s team dominance in Asian Games by beating Sri Lanka by 147-runs. She took three wickets to bowl out Sri Lanka for just 69 runs while chasing 217 runs target.
Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma played a key role with three wickets in India’s 147-run victory over Sri Lanka to win the Asian Games gold medal, following a score of 216/3, and aims for Olympic success.
Indian batters posted 216/3 on scoreboard to chase for Sri Lanka. Now after following the success of Asian Games gold medal, Deepti Sharma opened exclusively to Oneindia’s sports portal myKhel’s Avinash Sharma about the team’s achievement and her role in the preparations for India’s aim to Olympics.
Deepti Sharma On India’s Asian Games Gold
Deepti was part of India’s team that won silver at the Commonwealth Games and has now helped the side achieve back-to-back Asian Games gold medals. Speaking about the latest success and the team’s Olympic ambitions, she said the squad has continued to improve with every game.
“I think we have prepared very well. We are improving day by day, match by match as a team. It feels good to see this.
“The biggest thing is that we have won the first gold medal in 2026 as a team. It feels very good. I hope we win the gold medal in the Olympics too.”
The Indian women’s cricket team produced a commanding performance throughout the tournament before completing a convincing win over Sri Lanka in the final.
Deepti Sharma On Being Called India’s Backbone
Deepti once again showed her all-round value in the final. Smriti Mandhana’s 79 helped India reach 216/3, the highest-ever total in women’s cricket at the Asian Games.
With the ball, Deepti returned figures of 3/6 from four overs, including a maiden. She dismissed Chamari Athapaththu, Kavisha Dilhari and Sugandika Kumari as Sri Lanka were bowled out for 69.
Asked about the strongest aspect of her game and how she manages to contribute with the bat, ball and in the field, Deepti said her focus remains on helping the team rather than individual numbers.
“I always think about how I can contribute. In all my departments, whether it is batting, bowling or fielding, I always think about how I can take the team out of difficulties. The more I try to improve, the more I want the team to win matches.
“When I perform well, it is always impactful for the team. I feel good when the team wins matches.”
Deepti Gives Credit To India’s Bowling Unit
The conditions in Japan provided a challenge for the bowlers, with the pitches offering plenty of assistance to the batters. Despite that, India’s bowling unit managed to restrict Sri Lanka to a low total in the final.
Deepti credited the entire bowling unit for sticking to their plans and highlighted the importance of the team’s collective effort.
“It was more of a batting track, as we saw in all three games. I think all the bowlers get credit for this. It is a bit challenging when you bowl as a bowling unit.
“Everyone executed their plans properly. This is the result. It was a team performance. The batters and bowlers did their job. The entire team performed well at the end.”
Deepti Sharma’s Numbers Continue To Stand Out
Deepti’s three wickets in the final added to an already impressive record in women’s T20 internationals. She dismissed Chamari Athapaththu for 27, Kavisha Dilhari for 11 and Sugandika Kumari for 3.
She is the leading wicket-taker in WT20I history, with 189 wickets from 157 matches at an average of 18.17 and an economy rate of 6.21.
Against Sri Lanka, Deepti has taken 27 wickets in 23 matches at an average of 16.66. Her numbers in 2026 have also been impressive, with 37 wickets from 24 matches at an average of 14.78.
For Deepti and the Indian women’s team, the Asian Games gold is another important milestone. The all-rounder’s focus, however, is already on the bigger target ahead: winning Olympic gold.
