Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma has added another remarkable achievement to her already impressive career by equalling the legendary Jhulan Goswami’s record for the most wickets in women’s international cricket by an Indian player.
The milestone came during India’s Women’s T20 World Cup match against the Netherlands in Leeds, where Deepti claimed one wicket and took her overall international tally to 355 wickets. With this achievement, she now stands alongside Jhulan Goswami at the top of India’s all-time wicket-taking charts in women’s cricket.
For years, Jhulan Goswami’s record seemed untouchable. Widely regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in the history of the women’s game, Jhulan inspired an entire generation of cricketers with her consistency, longevity, and match-winning performances. Now, Deepti Sharma has joined that elite company, underlining her own importance to Indian cricket over the past decade.
What makes Deepti’s achievement even more special is her versatility. Unlike Jhulan, who built her legacy primarily as a pace bowler, Deepti has contributed across all formats as a spin-bowling all-rounder. Her ability to deliver breakthroughs in crucial moments has made her one of the most dependable players in the Indian team.
Deepti’s numbers reflect her consistency. In One-Day Internationals, she is India’s second-highest wicket-taker with 166 wickets, trailing only Jhulan Goswami’s 255. In T20 Internationals, she sits comfortably at the top as India’s leading wicket-taker and one of the most successful bowlers in the history of the format with 167 wickets. She has also made a significant impact in Test cricket, claiming 22 wickets in just six matches.
The historic achievement came on a memorable day for Indian cricket as the team produced a dominant performance against the Netherlands. After being invited to bat first, India posted a massive total of 209 for 5, their highest-ever score in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana led the charge with a brilliant 74 off 47 balls, while Shafali Verma provided explosive support with a 55-run knock. Their aggressive batting laid the foundation for India’s commanding total.
The bowlers then completed the job in emphatic fashion. Young spinner Shree Charani starred with four wickets, while Shafali Verma and Nandini chipped in with crucial breakthroughs as the Netherlands collapsed from a promising position to be bowled out for 114.
India’s convincing victory not only strengthened their position in the tournament but also provided the perfect backdrop for Deepti Sharma’s record-equalling moment.
At just 28 years old, Deepti still has several years of cricket ahead of her. With her current form and fitness, it appears only a matter of time before she moves past Jhulan Goswami and becomes India’s highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket outright.
For now, though, Deepti has earned her place alongside one of the greatest names in Indian cricket history, marking yet another milestone in a career that continues to go from strength to strength.
