Deepti Sharma Equals Jhulan Goswami's 355 International Wicket Record

Deepti Sharma, an all-rounder from Agra, has made history by equalling Jhulan Goswami's record of 355 international wickets during the Women's T20 World Cup. This achievement makes her the second female cricketer to reach this milestone and positions her as India's joint highest wicket-taker across all formats of women's cricket—Test, One Day International (ODI), and T20 matches combined. She now stands just one wicket away from becoming India's outright leading wicket-taker in international women's cricket.

Sharma's impressive performance during the tournament has been particularly notable, including a standout five-wicket haul against Pakistan. Her consistent excellence throughout the World Cup has demonstrated the skill and dedication that have defined her career. Remarkably, when Deepti achieved this milestone, Jhulan Goswami herself was present in the television commentary box, allowing the legendary fast bowler to witness her successor's historic achievement firsthand. Goswami offered praise for Sharma's accomplishment.

Deepti's success reflects the crucial support of her brother and coach, Sumit Sharma, who has been instrumental in shaping her cricket career. Her talent was first identified by former Indian women's cricketer Hemlata Kala during her childhood. Since then, Sumit Sharma has dedicated himself to guiding his sister's development as a cricketer, providing the coaching and mentorship that have helped her reach international prominence.

The achievement has generated considerable enthusiasm in Agra and across India's cricket community. Local cricket administrators and players view Deepti's record as an inspiration for aspiring athletes in the region. Hemlata Kala acknowledged that Deepti's success is the result of her consistency and dedication to the sport. Sunil Joshan, president of the Agra Cricket Association, described the accomplishment as bringing honour to the city on the world cricket stage. Sumit Sharma emphasised that his sister's hard work, discipline, and commitment to cricket have been the driving force behind her achievements, noting that while equalling the record is a major milestone, her journey continues.