Deepti Sharma Breaks World Record as Leading Wicket-Taker in Women’s Cricket
Indian off-spinner Deepti Sharma cemented her legacy in cricket history by becoming the leading wicket-taker in women’s international cricket across all formats. She achieved this historic milestone during India’s crucial T20 World Cup group stage encounter against Australia, overtaking legendary Indian fast bowler Jhulan Goswami.
Key Highlights
- Deepti Sharma broke the all-time international record by claiming her 356th wicket.
- The 28-year-old achieved the feat in her 279th international match.
- She surpassed the long-standing record of pace icon Jhulan Goswami, who retired with 355 wickets.
- The milestone occurred at Lord’s during a high-stakes 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup group clash.
In a critical, must-win fixture of the ongoing 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup against a formidable Australian side, Deepti Sharma secured a monumental feat in international women’s cricket for her national team.
The star all-rounder has officially risen to the pinnacle of India’s bowling charts in international women’s cricket, moving ahead of the iconic Jhulan Goswami. Deepti created history for the Women in Blue as she reached 356 international scalps across formats, edging past the former Indian captain who retired with a career tally of 355 wickets. The Agra-born spinner secured the top position the moment she removed dangerous Australian opening batter Beth Mooney.
According to official statistics, after removing Mooney, the premier spinner boasts a breakdown of 22 wickets in Test matches, 166 wickets in One Day Internationals (ODIs), and 168 wickets in Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Deepti alongside her fellow Indian bowlers face a steep challenge to claim further breakthroughs against a remarkably deep Australian batting lineup. Australia is chasing a target of 171 runs in 20 overs after India posted 170 for 4 at Lord’s, having won the toss and chosen to bat.
With the dismissal of Mooney, caught by Radha Yadav on the very first ball of the 10th over, Deepti now sits at the absolute peak of the global wicket-taking list. Australian veteran Ellyse Perry occupies the third position with 336 wickets, closely tracking the Indian leader.
Most wickets in Womenβs international cricket
- 356 – Deepti Sharma (IND)
- 355 – Jhulan Goswami (IND)
- 336 – Ellyse Perry (AUS)
- 335 – Katherine Sciver-Brunt (ENG)
- 333 – Sophie Ecclestone (ENG)
- 323 – Shabnim Ismail (SA)
The 28-year-old off-spinner entered this Group A match tied with Goswami and broke the deadlock in style. Her career numbers reflect sustained excellence; she remains the top wicket-taker in WT20I history, averaging roughly 20 across 149 matches with 2 five-wicket hauls. In WODIs, her 166 wickets from 124 matches place her second only to Goswami’s 255 for India, bolstered by 4 five-wicket hauls. Her Test record includes 22 wickets in 6 matches at an exceptional average of 19.50, featuring 1 five-wicket haul.
Significantly, no other female cricketers besides Deepti and Goswami have surpassed the 340-wicket threshold in international cricket. Beyond her elite bowling, Deepti has amassed over 4,000 international runs for India, including 1,270 WT20I runs, 2,771 WODI runs, and 335 Test runs, proving her status as a premier global all-rounder.
Historical Context
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures | 5-Wicket Hauls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests | 6 | 22 | 5/7 | 1 |
| ODIs | 124 | 166 | 6/20 | 4 |
| T20Is | 149 | 168 | 5/10 | 2 |
| Total | 279 | 356 | 6/20 | 7 |
Deepti Sharmaβs rise to the top of the wickets chart marks a transitional milestone for Indian cricket. For nearly two decades, pace legend Jhulan Goswami anchored the bowling department, retiring in 2022 after 284 matches with 355 wickets (44 in Tests, 255 in ODIs, and 56 in T20Is). Deepti’s eclipse of this record in just 279 matches underscores the evolving, spin-dominant era of the modern women’s game. Her record-breaking momentum was catalyzed early in this 2026 tournament when she claimed a vital five-wicket haul against Pakistan on June 14 in Birmingham.
FAQs
Who is the highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket?
Deepti Sharma is the highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket, holding the global record with 356 wickets across all formats.
Whose record did Deepti Sharma break to achieve this milestone?
Deepti Sharma broke the long-standing record of former Indian fast bowler and captain Jhulan Goswami, who concluded her career with 355 international wickets.
Against which team did Deepti Sharma break the world record?
She broke the record against Australia during a Group A match in the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Lord’s by dismissing opening batter Beth Mooney.
What is the format-wise breakdown of Deepti Sharma’s wickets?
As of her record-breaking match, Deepti Sharma has taken 22 wickets in Tests, 166 wickets in ODIs, and 168 wickets in T20Is.
