Deepti Sharma Now the T20 Queen: Creates World Record in Front of Record-Breaking Crowd
India Crush Pakistan by Their Highest-Ever Margin in Women’s World Cup
Birmingham: India’s women’s T20 team thrashed arch-rivals Pakistan by a record margin of 64 runs here on Sunday, handing them yet another humiliation in World Cup history. India now lead Pakistan 7-2 in T20 World Cup encounters. Opener Smriti Mandhana (68 off 44 balls, 2 sixes, 9 fours) starred with the bat, while spinner Deepti Sharma (5/10 in 4 overs) produced a dominant and record-breaking performance with the ball. Pakistan’s batters had no answer to Deepti’s spin. Several Indian cricket personalities, including Sachin Tendulkar and Irfan Pathan, congratulated the Indian women’s team on social media for their winning start.
60 seconds on the clock โฐ
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 15, 2026
Jemimah Rodrigues on the mic ๐๏ธ
Presenting ๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐ธ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฅ๐ผ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฅ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐ after our brilliant #T20WorldCup head start ๐#TeamIndia | #WomenInBlue | @JemiRodrigues https://t.co/KUrjABFpVY
Whose World Record Did Deepti Break?
Deepti Sharma has now taken 166 wickets in T20 Internationals, setting a new world record. She surpassed Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong, who had 165 wickets, and among major cricketing nations, Australia’s Megan Schutt, who held the record with 152 wickets.
Deepti achieved the milestone in front of a record-breaking crowd in Birmingham. The attendance for the match was 18,814, the highest ever for a Women’s T20 World Cup match. The previous record of 15,935 spectators, set during a match in Dubai in 2024, has now been surpassed.
Deepti Creates Another Indian Record
Player of the Match Deepti claimed two wickets in her first two overs and then took the final three wickets in the 17th and last over of Pakistan’s innings, claiming them within five deliveries.
Her figures of 5 wickets for 10 runs are now an Indian record in Women’s T20Is. She broke the previous records held by Renuka Thakur (5/15) and Priyanka Roy (5/16).
Harmanpreet Avoids Handshake with Fatima
As expected, the ‘no-handshake’ policy between the two captains continued. It would not be incorrect to say that Harmanpreet Kaur avoided shaking hands with Pakistan captain Fatima Sana during the toss ceremony.
Three Wickets for Shri Charani
Chasing a target of 171, Pakistan were bowled out for 106 runs. Spinner Shri Charani took three wickets, while Shafali Verma claimed one.
Wicketkeeper-opener Muneeba Ali top-scored for Pakistan with 41 runs. Given that Pakistan have not beaten India in a World Cup match for the last 10 years, India entered the contest as clear favourites.
After setting a target of 171, India reduced Pakistan to 72 for 3 in 10 overs, putting Fatima Sana’s side under immense pressure. India capitalised on that pressure and went on to secure a comprehensive victory.
Smriti Creates Indian Record
Earlier, India elected to bat and posted 170 for 6. Smriti Mandhana broke Harmanpreet Kaur’s record for the most sixes by an Indian woman in T20 Internationals. Harmanpreet had struck 86 sixes, while Mandhana has now moved ahead with 87.
Harmanpreet Kaur (36 off 35 balls, 4 fours) and wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh (34 off 17 balls, 1 six, 5 fours) also made valuable contributions to India’s innings.
Star spin all-rounder Deepti Sharma remained unbeaten on 12. Sadia and captain Fatima Sana picked up two wickets each for Pakistan.
World Cup Results So Far; Rest Day Today
Before this match, England defeated Sri Lanka, Scotland beat Ireland, Australia overcame South Africa, West Indies defeated New Zealand, and Bangladesh registered a win over the Netherlands.
The tournament has a rest day today. India will next face the Netherlands on Wednesday.
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