Record-breaking spell

India all-rounder Deepti Sharma became the leading wicket-taker in women's T20 Internationals as India defeated Thailand by 94 runs in their opening Group A match of the Women's Asia Cup in Dubai on Sunday. Sharma reached 171 T20I wickets during her 150th appearance for India, surpassing Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong, who has 170 wickets.

The 27-year-old off-spinner bowled 1 overs, conceding no runs and taking three wickets, achieving the milestone with a spell that also made her the first Indian to take three or more wickets without conceding a run in a Women's T20I. Her figures of 3/0 are the most economical three-wicket haul by an Indian in the format, with the previous best held by Renuka Singh, who took 3/5 against Sri Lanka in Sylhet in 2022.

Sharma's performance helped India bowl out Thailand for just 65 runs in 1 overs. Nandini Sharma took 3/18 and Shree Charani claimed 2/10 in support. Thailand's Nannapat Koncharoenkai scored 41 off 48 balls, the only significant resistance.

Milestone and context

Deepti Sharma also became only the third Indian after Harmanpreet Kaur (203) and Smriti Mandhana (172) to play 150 or more T20Is, and the 12th woman cricketer overall to reach that landmark. With 171 wickets, she now leads the women's T20I wicket-taking charts, followed by Putthawong (170), Rwanda's Henriette Ishimwe (164), England's Sophie Ecclestone (154) and Hong Kong's Kary Chan (153). Radha Yadav is the only other Indian to take 100-plus T20I wickets, with 106.

Match details and reactions

Batting first, India posted 159/9 in 20 overs, powered by Shafali Verma's 64 off 36 balls, including eight fours and three sixes. Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal contributed 19 and 22 respectively.

Reflecting on her achievement, Deepti Sharma said representing India remained more important to her than personal milestones. "More than 150 wickets, it's a proud feeling to wear the Indian jersey with the Indian logo. It's about doing the right things as an Indian player," she said. "I don't think about who I'm going to play against. I focus on how I can keep getting better and help my bowling unit."

Sharma also credited India's camp at the Centre of Excellence for giving the team confidence ahead of the tournament. "The camp at the Centre of Excellence gave us a lot of confidence, and we're looking forward to winning the Asia Cup," she said.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur praised Sharma at the post-match presentation. "Deepti is somebody who has got a lot of experience, a lot of wickets behind her, and today also she used her experience," Harmanpreet said.

India will next face Hong Kong Women on September 3.