NEW DELHI: Deepti Sharma scripted history on Sunday, producing one of the most remarkable bowling spells in Women’s T20I cricket to become the highest wicket-taker in the format as India began their Women’s T20 Asia Cup campaign with a thumping 94-run victory over Thailand in Dubai.Playing her landmark 150th T20I, Deepti claimed three wickets without conceding a single run from seven deliveries, taking her career tally to 171 wickets and moving past Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong, who took one wicket in the match to reach 170 wickets.The veteran all-rounder first drew level with Putthawong when she took two wickets in the ninth over to leave Thailand reeling at 44/6. She returned in the 17th over and struck with her very first delivery, dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Nannapat Koncharoenkai to complete a stunning 3/0.Thailand were eventually bowled out for just 65 in 16.1 overs, giving India a winning start to their campaign.
Deepti enters record books with sensational spell
Deepti’s achievement was made even more remarkable by the fact that she became the first Indian bowler to claim three or more wickets without conceding a run in a Women’s T20I. Overall, there have now been 26 such spells in the format.Her figures of 3/0 are also the best for an Indian bowler taking at least three wickets in a T20I. Renuka Singh previously held the record for the fewest runs conceded with 3/5 against Sri Lanka in Sylhet in 2022.Deepti’s three wickets also took her past Putthawong at the top of the global wicket-taking charts. She now has 171 wickets, followed by Putthawong on 170, Rwanda’s Henriette Ishimwe on 164 and England’s Sophie Ecclestone on 154.The landmark came on a memorable day for Deepti, who had earlier become only the third Indian after Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana to reach 150 T20I appearances.Most wickets in Women’s T20Is
- 171* – Deepti Sharma (IND-W)
- 170 – Thipatcha Putthawong (THA-W)
- 164 – Henriette Ishimwe (RWA-W)
- 154 – Sophie Ecclestone (ENG-W)
- 153 – Kary Chan (HKG-W)
- 153 – Onnicha Kamchomphu (THA-W)
Shafali’s fireworks set up India’s win
Before Deepti’s record-breaking intervention, Shafali Verma had provided India with a flying start. The opener smashed 64 from 36 balls, hitting eight fours and three sixes, and brought up her 19th T20I half-century from just 26 deliveries.India raced past 100 in 10 overs and appeared set for a total in excess of 200. However, Thailand fought back through leg-spinner Suleeporn Laomi, whose variations triggered a dramatic Indian collapse.India slipped from 108/2 to 137/9, losing seven wickets for only 29 runs. Laomi finished with impressive figures of 3/26, including the wickets of Shafali and Richa Ghosh in successive deliveries. Off-spinner Sunida Chaturongrattana added 2/31.Smriti Mandhana had earlier scored 19 from 10 balls before being run out by a direct hit from Aphisara Suwanchonrathi. Pratika Rawal, making her T20I debut in place of injured Jemimah Rodrigues, contributed 22 from 18 balls before Laomi cleaned her up.Despite the collapse, India managed 159/9, with Kranti Gaud’s unbeaten 15 off eight balls providing a late boost.Least runs conceded for a 3-plus wicket haul for IND-W in a T20I
- 3/0 – Deepti Sharma vs THA-W, Dubai, 2026
- 3/5 – Renuka Singh vs SL-W, Sylhet, 2022
- 3/6 – Pooja Vastrakar vs MAS-W, Kuala Lumpur, 2018
- 3/6 – Titas Sadhu vs SL-W, Hangzhou, 2023
- 3/6 – Radha Yadav vs SA-W, Chennai, 2024
Thailand’s chase never got going. Kranti Gaud and Nandani Sharma removed the openers early, while Shree Charani and Deepti then dismantled the middle order. Charani finished with 2/10 and Nandani took 3/18.Nannapat offered the only significant resistance with 41, but Deepti ended her stay with the first ball of her final over.The comprehensive win gives India two points to begin their Group A campaign. They next face Hong Kong on Thursday.
