Deepti Sharma Creates History at No. 6
Vadodara: Star Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma produced a batting masterclass on Sunday, smashing a brilliant hundred off just 83 balls against Zimbabwe in the ongoing Women’s ODI series. The left-handed batter brought up her second ODI century in emphatic fashion, reminding the world why she is one of the most valuable players in women’s cricket.
Deepti scored 106 runs off just 86 balls, studded with 15 glorious fours, dominating the Zimbabwean bowling attack with both power and precision. After reaching her century in 83 balls, she continued to accelerate before getting out, leaving the crowd at Vadodara on their feet.
This was Deepti Sharma’s second ODI century, and it came at a crucial moment for Team India. Coming in to bat at No. 6, Deepti showed immense composure and counter-attacking intent, turning the game completely in India’s favour.
With this knock, Deepti Sharma etched her name in the history books. She became the first Indian woman ever to score an ODI hundred while batting at No. 6 or lower. It is a record that highlights her ability to not just finish games, but to build big innings from difficult situations – a quality rarely seen in lower-middle order batters.
The highlight of India’s innings was the massive 153-run partnership between captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Deepti Sharma for the fifth wicket. The duo rescued India and then took the attack to the opposition. This 153-run stand is now officially India Women’s highest partnership for the fifth wicket or lower in ODIs. It broke the previous record of 122 runs held by Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar, which they had set against Pakistan at the 2022 ODI World Cup.
Deepti’s innings was all about class and calculation. She started steadily, rotating the strike with Harmanpreet, and then unleashed her wide range of shots once she was set. Her driving through covers and powerful sweeps were a treat to watch. She brought up her fifty and then shifted gears, reaching her hundred in just 83 balls – making it one of the fastest hundreds by an Indian woman.
Her century also enters the list of quickest ODI hundreds for Indian Women:
50 balls – Smriti Mandhana vs AUS, Delhi 2025
70 balls – Smriti Mandhana vs IRE, Rajkot, 2025
77 balls – Smriti Mandhana vs AUS, Mullanpur, 2025
82 balls – Harmanpreet Kaur vs ENG, Chester-le-Street, 2025
83 balls – Deepti Sharma vs ZIM, Vadodara, 2026*
With this, Deepti joins an elite list dominated by Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur, proving that India’s batting firepower is not limited to the top order. Known primarily for her world-class off-spin bowling and handy batting, Deepti has been working hard on her batting in the last two years. This century is a testament to that hard work. From being seen as a bowling all-rounder, she has now established herself as a genuine match-winner with the bat as well.
The knock will give immense confidence to the Indian team management ahead of the upcoming big tournaments, as having a batter of Deepti’s calibre at No. 6 gives India incredible depth and balance. Fans on social media are already hailing the innings as one of the best by an Indian all-rounder in recent times. With form like this, Deepti Sharma is undoubtedly one of the biggest assets for Indian Women’s cricket. News Sources : Doordarshan Sports X postÂ
