As India head into the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in Dubai for the 2024 edition, plenty of eyes will be on spin-bowling all-rounder Deepti Sharma.
Over the last decade, Sharma’s development as a player has shaped her into a dynamic and versatile cricketer. From bowling to batting to fielding, she has become one of the go-to players for all the teams she competes for, especially the Indian national team.
As a senior member of the Indian team, her personal journey now reflects the broader journey of women’s cricket in India. And it is no surprise that the Indian cricket team will be banking on her to shine in the marquee event that starts on October 3.
According to Sharma, the biggest change for Indian women’s cricket has been the introduction and growth of women’s cricket leagues, such as the Women's Premier League in India and franchisee competitions overseas, such as the Women’s Big Bash League in Australia, Caribbean Women’s Cricket League and The Hundred in England.
“When I debuted [for India in 2014] matches were rare and not always televised,” said Sharma in a conversation with Scroll in Lucknow. “Now, every match is live and the fans are there to support us. The growth in coverage is huge.”
Evolution in the past decadeWhat began as an uncertain...
