As the tension builds, Deepti Sharma prepares for the occasion
Amongst the many standout performers for the Indian women’s team on their ongoing tour of England has been Deepti Sharma. The off-spinning all-rounder has risen to the occasion in pressure situations, and would be the key for India as they bid to wrap up the tour by winning the T20I series in the third and final day/night game at Chelmsford on Wednesday.
The Uttar Pradesh cricketer began the English tour with a superb performance with both bat and ball in the off-Test at Bristol. After taking three for 65, the 23-year-old scored an unbeaten 29, and then, after being promoted in the batting order, slammed a crucial 54 to help India draw the game on the final day.
In the first ODI, her 30-run cameo helped India cross 200. On Sunday at Hove, it was her over which turned the tide as India came from behind to stun England by eight runs after the hosts looked to be cruising at one stage.
A 75-run partnership for the third wicket between Tammy Beaumont and skipper Heather Knight had almost sealed the game for England, before Sharma got both the batters off successive balls in the 14th over. Beaumont came down the track to sweep the tweaker but was trapped lbw, while Knight was left stranded at the non-striker’s end as the youngster stopped a shot off her own bowling. In four overs, she gave away just 18 runs.
“It was a crucial over and crucial wicket (of Beaumont). Earlier (in the same over) also we had taken a DRS (review against Beaumont) but we were unlucky (as the ball had pitched outside off). Next, when I bowled (Beaumont was given lbw, England reviewed and this time) it was the umpire’s call and it was hitting the stumps (leg stump). It gave us a lot of confidence. We bounced back after that and then the run-out helped us to pull back the match,” Deepti said at the post-match virtual press conference.
Incidentally, she had run out Knight, with a brilliant fielding effort off her bowling, in the opening T20I too. Deepti said she loved playing under pressure.
“I like playing in pressure situations, whether it is in any position in the team – batting, bowling, or fielding. As an all-rounder, I just want to contribute to my department and take the team forward. I like leading from the front, like in domestic tournaments when I play as a senior player and win matches for my team, that gives different confidence. When you bring that confidence here, of course this platform is not easy but it depends on how you handle it.
I now know how to read and handle situations, so I find it easy to play because I know I can handle things easily now,” she explained.India fined for slow over-rateThe Indian women’s team was on Monday fined 20 per cent of the match fee for maintaining a slow over-rate against England in the second Twenty20 International.
According to an ICC release, match referee Phil Whitticase imposed the sanction after Harmanpreet Kaur’s side was ruled to be one over short of the target after time allowances were taken into consideration.
