New Delhi: India’s premier all-rounder Deepti Sharma delivered a historic, record-laden performance during the third T20 International against Sri Lanka, overtaking Australian great Ellyse Perry to become the third-highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket. Her remarkable achievement further cemented her status as one of the most influential cricketers in the modern women’s game.

Playing at Thiruvananthapuram, Deepti returned impressive figures of 3 for 18, taking her overall international wicket tally to 333. This allowed her to move past Perry, who finished her illustrious career with 331 wickets from 271 matches. Only two legends now stand ahead of Deepti on the all-time list — England’s Katherine Sciver-Brunt with 335 wickets in 275 matches, and India’s pace icon Jhulan Goswami, who tops the chart with 355 wickets in 291 matches.

Historic milestone in T20 Internationals

Deepti’s spell was particularly significant in the shortest format of the game. She became the first Indian cricketer — across both men’s and women’s cricket — to take 150 wickets in T20 Internationals. With this feat, she joined elite company on the global stage and underlined her consistency across formats.

In women’s T20Is, Deepti is now joint-highest wicket-taker, level with Australia’s Megan Schutt, with 151 wickets in 131 matches. She has achieved this at an outstanding average of 18.73, with her best figures in the format being 4 for 10. Her ability to control the game through both powerplay and middle overs has made her one of India’s most dependable match-winners.

Consistent rise in ODIs and Tests

Deepti’s excellence is not limited to T20 cricket. In One Day Internationals, she continues to scale new heights and is currently the eighth-highest wicket-taker in women’s ODI history. She is also India’s second-most successful ODI bowler, behind only Jhulan Goswami, with 162 wickets from 121 matches at an average of 27.32.

Her ODI career includes a stunning career-best 6 for 20, along with three four-wicket hauls and four five-wicket hauls, highlighting her ability to deliver match-turning spells.

In Test cricket, Deepti has made a strong impact despite limited opportunities. She has claimed 20 wickets in five matches at an excellent average of 18.10, including both a four-wicket haul and a five-wicket haul, proving her adaptability to the longest format.

Unique all-round record in T20Is

Adding another feather to her already glittering cap, Deepti Sharma became the first cricketer in history — men or women — to score 1,000 runs and take 150 wickets in T20 Internationals. Alongside her 151 wickets, she has accumulated 1,100 runs in 131 matches, averaging 23.40 with a strike rate of 104.26, including two half-centuries.

This rare double underlines her value as a genuine all-rounder and her ability to contribute with both bat and ball under pressure.

India dominate Sri Lanka in third T20I

In the match itself, India won the toss and elected to bowl. Sri Lanka were restricted to 112 for 7 in their 20 overs, with Imesha Dulani (27), Hasini Perera (25) and Kavisha Dilhari (20) being the only batters to cross the 20-run mark. Renuka Singh starred with the ball, picking up 4 for 21, applying relentless pressure at the top.

India’s chase was completed in emphatic fashion. Shafali Verma smashed an unbeaten 79 off 42 balls, while captain Harmanpreet Kaur contributed 21, as India cruised to an eight-wicket victory in just 13.2 overs.

Shafali registered her second consecutive half-century and continued her excellent form in 2025, scoring 333 runs in eight T20Is at an average of 55.50 and a strike rate of over 173.

Conclusion

Deepti Sharma’s latest achievement is a testament to her longevity, consistency, and match-winning prowess. As she continues to climb the all-time charts across formats, her performances remain central to India’s success and a source of inspiration for the next generation of women cricketers.