Deepti Sharma becomes the leading wicket-taker in women's T20 internationals

Deepti Sharma took three wickets without conceding a run to move past Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong and become the leading wicket-taker in women's T20 international cricket

Deepti Sharma is the most successful bowler in the history of women's T20 internationals, having reached 171 wickets during India's 94-run win over Thailand in the Women's Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.
The all-rounder went into the match level with Thailand's Thipatcha Putthawong on 170 and needed a single dismissal to move clear. She took three, and did so without conceding a run.
The milestone arrived in her 150th T20 international, making her only the third Indian woman to reach that number of appearances after Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana.

Three wickets in seven balls
Deepti's figures read 3 for 0 from 1.1 overs. Seven deliveries, three wickets, no runs — a spell that ended the innings rather than merely dented it, and one of the more economical record-breaking performances the format has seen.
Thailand were bowled out for 65 in 16.1 overs chasing 160, and the collapse was comprehensive. Nannapat Koncharoenkai's 41 was the only score of any substance in the innings.

A record built over a decade
Putthawong had held the mark going into the tournament, and the two were separated by a single wicket at the start of play. That the pass came against Putthawong's own side, in a match Thailand needed to win, gave the moment an edge it would not otherwise have had.
Behind the pair, Rwanda's Henriette Ishimwe has 164, England's Sophie Ecclestone 154 and Hong Kong's Kary Chang 153. Ecclestone is the only other bowler from a leading nation within reach.
Deepti has spent most of her career batting in India's middle order as well as bowling her full allocation, and the 150-match milestone reflects a decade of near-continuous selection. Harmanpreet Kaur captains the side and Smriti Mandhana is vice-captain; both reached 150 T20 internationals before her.
Reaching 171 wickets in 150 matches means she has averaged more than a wicket a game across a career spent largely bowling in the phases where batters are trying to accelerate.

Gratitude after the milestone
Deepti reflected on the milestone the following day. "Yesterday was a day which filled me with emotion and gratitude. Some achievements make you feel how lucky you are to do what you love the most," she said.
"I remain committed to my team and fans to play with the same excitement and winning more matches and trophies for my country."

India's win in Dubai
India had posted 159 for 9, a total that owed most to Shafali Verma's 64 at the top of the order. Nine wickets down in 20 overs suggested a side that had to work for every run, and 160 looked a competitive rather than a commanding target.
It proved more than enough. Nandni Sharma took three wickets alongside Deepti as Thailand were dismissed inside 17 overs, and India opened their campaign with a 94-run win.

Pakistan to come
India are in Group A alongside Pakistan, Thailand and Hong Kong, China, in a tournament running at the single Dubai venue until 13 September. They face Hong Kong on 3 September before the group's decisive fixture against Pakistan on 5 September.
Group B is made up of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia, with the semi-finals and final to follow. Every match in the tournament is being played at the same ground, which puts an unusual premium on bowlers who can adapt as the surfaces wear.

Scorecard: India 159-9 (20 ov) — Shafali Verma 64; Thailand 65 all out (16.1 ov) — Deepti Sharma 3-0. India won by 94 runs.02:29 PM

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