Deepti Sharma Targets All-Time Wicket Record in T20 World Cup
Indian off-spinner Deepti Sharma stands on the threshold of cricket history as India prepares to encounter Bangladesh in a critical Group A fixture at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday, with a single dismissal securing her status as the top wicket-taker in international history.
Key Highlights
- All-rounder Deepti Sharma is tied with pace icon Jhulan Goswami at 355 international wickets.
- India faces Bangladesh in their fourth Group A match on Thursday in Manchester.
- Deepti remains the global leader in T20 International dismissals with 167 wickets.
- Tactical worries persist for India as middle-order batting struggles and fielding lapses impact momentum.
India all-rounder Deepti Sharma stands on the brink of history as she prepares to take the field against Bangladesh in India’s fourth Group A match of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 on Thursday.
The 28-year-old off-spinner is currently tied with former India pace legend Jhulan Goswami as the leading wicket-taker in women’s international cricket, with both players having claimed 355 wickets each. A wicket against Bangladesh will see Deepti move to the top of the all-time list and further cement her status as one of the game’s premier all-rounders.
Deepti has enjoyed an impressive World Cup campaign so far. She began the tournament by registering a five-wicket haul against arch-rivals Pakistan, playing a decisive role in India’s victory. She followed that up with figures of 1/26 in three overs against the Netherlands in Leeds, a performance that helped her draw level with Jhulan’s long-standing record.
The off-spinner, however, went wicketless in India’s previous outing against South Africa, where the Proteas secured a six-wicket win. Despite that setback, Deepti remains one of India’s most potent bowling weapons and is expected to play a crucial role against Bangladesh as the team looks to strengthen its chances of reaching the semi-finals.
Among Indian bowlers, Deepti is already the country’s highest wicket-taker in T20 Internationals and the leading wicket-taker in the format globally, with 167 wickets from 147 matches. She has also picked up 166 wickets in 124 One-Day Internationals, second only to Jhulan Goswami’s 255 ODI wickets for India.
In Test cricket, Deepti has claimed 22 wickets in just six matches, while Jhulan finished her illustrious international career with 44 Test wickets, 255 ODI wickets and 56 T20I scalps before retiring in 2022.
Behind Deepti and Jhulan on the all-time women’s international wicket-taking charts are England’s Katherine Sciver-Brunt (335), Australia’s Ellyse Perry (332), England spinner Sophie Ecclestone (327) and South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail (318).
With a historic milestone within touching distance, all eyes will be on Deepti when India take on Bangladesh in a crucial World Cup encounter Thursday.
One wicket away from history: Deeptiβs record chase
The Indian spin bowling star has assembled an excellent display throughout this edition of the global tournament. Opening her campaign with a masterful five-wicket demolition of Pakistan, she established the baseline for the early tournament ascendance enjoyed by the national side.
Her pursuit continued with a return of 1/26 during the subsequent fixture against the Netherlands, an efficient bowling spell that brought her level with the historic benchmark established by Goswami.
Nevertheless, the off-spinner failed to disrupt the wickets column during India’s latest match against South Africa, a tie that concluded with the Proteas collecting a comfortable six-wicket triumph over the line-up led by Harmanpreet Kaur.
Even with that recent defensive complication, she retains her position as the most trusted asset within the national bowling contingent heading into the upcoming phase.
Her career statistics across all playing versions highlight her global ascendancy. She leads the national charts in the shortest format, standing as the most successful bowler worldwide in T20 Internationals with 167 victims across 147 appearances.
Her fifty-over track record features 166 wickets gathered from 124 matches, trailing only the historic target of 255 victims credited to Goswami. Her red-ball resume features 22 dismissals compiled across a mere six Test match outings.
The standing of her peers highlights the scale of her imminent success. Trailing the Indian tandem are England veteran Katherine Sciver-Brunt with 335 wickets, Australian icon Ellyse Perry with 332, spin expert Sophie Ecclestone with 327, and South African quick Shabnim Ismail at 318.
Indiaβs middle-order concerns ahead of Bangladesh clash
Though the pursuit of individual records commands the media narrative, the national squad faces distinct structural dilemmas prior to the upcoming contest. Consistent opening platforms constructed by Smriti Mandhana alongside Shafali Verma have repeatedly offered early tactical advantages.
Unfortunately, the central batting order has frequently faltered when tasked with transforming those foundations into insurmountable target accumulations.
This systemic inability to accelerate during the intermediate phase has routinely left lower-order bats Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma facing excessive runs requirements with minimal remaining deliveries.
The recent capitulation against South Africa exposed defensive vulnerabilities on the field, occurring after the bowling attack successfully compromised the opposition top order to leave them reeling at 25 for 2.
Conversely, the Bangladesh lineup arrives at the fixture energized by consecutive triumphs over Pakistan and the Netherlands. Their positive campaign has relied on unified tactical execution rather than stand-alone star displays.
For the Indian collective, securing a victory will consolidate their semi-final aspirations and confirm a high-stakes meeting with Australia, whereas a surprise defeat would completely destabilize the Group A table.
Future Outlook
The outcome of Thursday’s match will reshape the knockout qualification pathway for Group A. A victory for India sets up a definitive, high-stakes showdown against powerhouse Australia to decide semi-final positioning, while simultaneously cementing Deepti Sharma’s legacy at the apex of global cricket. Conversely, a disciplined Bangladesh lineup has the opportunity to blow the semi-final race wide open, transforming the final group stage fixtures into a chaotic multi-team scramble for survival.
FAQs
How many international wickets has Deepti Sharma taken?
Deepti Sharma has taken 355 wickets in women’s international cricket across all formats, leaving her currently tied with former Indian fast bowler Jhulan Goswami for the all-time record.
Who holds the record for the most wickets in Women’s T20 Internationals globally?
Deepti Sharma holds the global record for the most wickets in Women’s T20 Internationals, having claimed 167 wickets in 147 matches.
Which bowlers trail Deepti Sharma and Jhulan Goswami on the all-time international list?
The players trailing them include England’s Katherine Sciver-Brunt (335), Australia’s Ellyse Perry (332), England’s Sophie Ecclestone (327), and South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail (318).
How has Bangladesh performed leading into the match against India?
Bangladesh enters the match with significant momentum after securing group-stage victories over both Pakistan and the Netherlands through disciplined, team-wide performances.
