India Women's cricket team secured a thrilling four-wicket victory against England Women in the first ODI, and the hero of the hour, Deepti Sharma, revealed a surprising source of inspiration behind her match-winning knock. In a post-match interview, Sharma credited Rishabh Pant for her audacious one-handed six that took everyone by surprise.
Deepti Sharma remained unbeaten, guiding India to a solid victory. Her unbeaten 62* also surpassed Veda Krishnamurthy's previous record to become the highest score by an Indian batter in Women's cricket. Her 90-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues proved crucial in chasing down the target of 259.
"I was waiting for an opportunity like this," Deepti stated. "I wanted to build a partnership with Jemimah, score 5-6 runs an over consistently. (On her sweep shots) I have worked a lot on it early days, and it helps on this kind of track. (On the one-handed six) I play these shots in practice. I picked that up from Rishabh Pant. We have played in England before, we enjoy these conditions."
The chase saw contributions from Smriti Mandhana (28), Pratika Rawal (36), and Jemimah Rodrigues (48). Amanjot Kaur also chipped in with a quickfire 20 off 14 balls to provide the finishing touches. However, captain Harmanpreet Kaur's early dismissal for 17 left India in a tricky situation at 124/4.
Key Moments of the Match
- Deepti Sharma's unbeaten 62* and her partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues.
- Deepti Sharma's surprising one-handed six inspired by Rishabh Pant.
- Vital contributions from Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, and Amanjot Kaur.
What's Next?
The win gives India a crucial lead in the series. Fans will be eagerly awaiting the next match to see if Deepti Sharma can continue her impressive form and if other players can step up to contribute to the team's success.