Deepti returns to form with maiden T20I fifer ahead of T20WC
Deepti Sharma starred with both bat and ball as India secured their first win of the series against South Africa in the fourth T20I.
Deepti Sharma snapped her lean run of form in brilliant fashion in the fourth T20I against South Africa, delivering a stellar all-round performance. The 28-year-old first played a crucial unbeaten knock of 36* to anchor India’s innings before producing a spectacular effort with the ball.
She returned with career-best figures of 5/19, registering her maiden T20I five-wicket haul and guiding India to their first win of the series.
"I'm very pleased, because I'm good in crunch situations. I keep believing in myself, that I'll come back hard. All credit to my teammates who believe in me,” said Deepti after winning the Player of the Match award.
Deepti Sharma had been enduring a lean run of form, going wicketless in her last five T20Is while also struggling to make an impact with the bat. India head coach Amol Muzumdar, however, continued to back his star player to bounce back, and Deepti repaid that faith in stunning fashion with a match-winning performance in Johannesburg.
“She's a class player, there's no doubt about it, we have seen it in the World Cup, in bigger tournaments, in pressure situations, she has stood up for India and had some stellar performances, especially in the last (Women's Cricket) World Cup," said Mazumdar after the third T20I against South Africa, backing Deepti Sharma to bounce back.
"I think it's just a matter of time when she hits a form, and I and the entire country would be hoping it starts from tomorrow. She's been a marquee player for a long time, and she has shouldered that responsibility in the middle order, I mean, she's one of the pillars of Indian women's cricket at the moment.”
India struggled to challenge South Africa early in the series, with the Proteas winning the first three games comfortably. However, Deepti Sharma believes there are plenty of positives for India to take away, especially with a major T20 World Cup fast approaching.
“I think (there are) a lot of positives from this series. And especially today's game gave us a lot of confidence going forward.
"Whenever we play, we play as a team, as a bowling or batting unit. Same belief we have to keep going forward as well.” said Deepti.
The fifth and final T20I will take place in Benoni on Monday, 27 April.