On a blistering afternoon in Colombo, Deepti Sharma put on a clinic to dismantle Pakistan’s batting, playing a starring role in India’s commanding 88-run victory over their arch rivals. With 3 wickets in hand with her spin and a tight, disciplined spell, Deepti Sharma shared honors with pace partner Kranti Goud (3 wickets) to dominate Pakistan’s chase. Her contribution turned what could’ve been a tense finish into a statement win.
India Post a Respectable Total
India batted first and compiled a total of 247 in 50 overs, on a slow surface that suited spin. Their innings was built on cautious starts and late acceleration. Harleen Deol anchored the early phases with 46 off 65 balls. Meanwhile, Jemimah Rodrigues (32) and Richa Ghosh (35 not out off 20) provided impetus in the middle and death overs, respectively.
The pitch looked like it would assist spinners, so India’s total was defensible but not unassailable. That’s where Deepti’s spell would become crucial.
Pakistan Stumbles Under Deepti Sharma’s Spin Barrage
The chase began with promise but quickly unraveled once Deepti Sharma entered the attack. Pakistan’s openers started cautiously against India’s seamers, trying to build a foundation for the middle order. However, the moment Deepti came on in the ninth over, the tone of the innings shifted dramatically. Her very first over hinted at what was to come ; flight, dip, and sharp turn from the surface immediately put Pakistan’s batters in two minds.
The breakthrough arrived soon after when Deepti trapped Sidra Ameen plumb in front, deceiving her with drift that drew the right-hander forward before spinning past the inside edge. That wicket opened the floodgates. Just three overs later, she lured Bismah Maroof, Pakistan’s captain and key stabilizer, into a mistimed drive that floated tamely into the hands of cover. From 31 for 1, Pakistan crumbled to 48 for 4, the chase rapidly slipping away.
Deepti’s control in the middle overs was nothing short of masterful. Each over seemed like a small puzzle that Pakistan couldn’t solve. She varied her pace cleverly one ball pushed through flatter, the next held back invitingly and kept the batters guessing. Her third wicket, that of Aliya Riaz, was a classic off-spinner’s dismissal: tossed up outside off, drifting in before sharply turning to rattle the off stump. The delivery summed up her day precise, patient, and perfectly timed.
Support Cast & Fielding Pressure
Deepti did not bowl in isolation. Kranti Goud’s pace complement (also 3 wickets) ensured Pakistan couldn’t settle. Sneh Rana and Shree Charani kept the middle overs tight, denying boundaries and running room. Fielding held up too—catches were taken without hesitation, and ground fielding saved crucial runs.
In the end, Pakistan were dismissed for 159 in 43.0 overs, well short of the target. Deepti’s finishing wicket—Rameen Shamim—was a classic googly that sneaked through, sealing the win and completing India’s dominance over Pakistan (now 12-0 in women’s ODIs).
What This Performance Represents
Deepti’s impact was surgical. In a match between arch rivals, her spell added a layer of control that India needed when Pakistan threatened a fightback. She bowled in different phases, hit the right lengths, and forced errors all hallmarks of a world-class spinner in pressure situations.
Her performance reinforces India’s depth in spin bowling and gives opposition teams a headache when playing them on turning tracks. Combined with her previous all-round contributions, Deepti continues to cement her place as a vital asset in the Indian setup.
In the fiery intensity of an India-Pakistan World Cup clash, Deepti Sharma’s clinical performance outclassed Pakistan. Her three-wicket haul swung momentum decisively, turning India’s defendable total into a dominant one. As India marched to an 88-run win, her spell served as a reminder that in big matches, quality spin and careful execution can break rivalries and that Deepti Sharma remains one of India’s sharpest weapons.
Also Read: ICC Women’s ODI World Cup 2025: Deepti Sharma’s All-Round Performance Helps India Get Over The Line