India’s all-rounder Deepti Sharma etched her name into the history books by becoming the leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20I cricket as the hosts completed a dominant 5-0 series whitewash over Sri Lanka with a 15-run victory in the fifth and final T20I at Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Deepti claimed her 152nd T20I wicket, surpassing Australia’s Megan Schutt to set a new world record.

Deepti Sharma creates history with 152nd T20I wicket

The historic moment came in the 14th over when Deepti trapped Nilakshika Silva leg-before to claim her 152nd dismissal in 134 matches at an average of 18.62, going past Australia’s Megan Schutt, who has 151 wickets in 123 matches at 16.57.

Deepti’s achievement caps a stellar year for the 27-year-old off-spinner, who has been a cornerstone of India’s bowling attack across formats. Her ability to bowl tight lines in the middle overs and pick up crucial wickets has made her one of the most reliable bowlers in women’s T20I cricket.

Her spell of 1/28 in four overs on Tuesday, combined with fellow spinner Vaishnavi Sharma’s 1/33, helped India strangle Sri Lanka’s chase and seal the series sweep.

Harmanpreet Kaur rescues India with fighting 68

Earlier, India captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a captain’s knock, smashing 68 off 43 balls (nine fours, one six) to rescue India from a precarious 77/5 after 10 overs and guide them to a competitive 175/5.

Harmanpreet’s first fifty of the series came at a crucial juncture when India desperately needed stability. She struck powerful shots on both sides of the wicket and pierced the field deftly on the off-side, showcasing her class and experience.

Her 61-run sixth-wicket partnership with Amanjot Kaur (21) steadied the innings before Arundhati Reddy provided the late flourish, smacking an unbeaten 27 off just 11 balls (four fours, one six) to push India past the 150-mark.

India’s top-order collapse

India’s innings got off to a shaky start with the new opening pair of debutant G Kamalini and Shafali Verma falling cheaply after vice-captain Smriti Mandhana was rested from the match.

Shafali, coming off three consecutive fifties, fell for just 5 while attempting an aggressive shot, caught at long-on by Imesha Dulani off Nimasha Meepage in the second over.

Debutant Kamalini showed promise with a couple of fours but was dismissed for 12 after missing a sweep off Kavisha Dilhari (2/11) and being trapped in front. A DRS review proved futile.

The slide continued as Harleen Deol (13) was bowled attempting a big heave, and Richa Ghosh (5) was caught behind off Sri Lanka captain Chamari Athapaththu (2/21). Deepti Sharma (7) also fell to Athapaththu, leaving India in deep trouble at 77/5.

Sri Lanka’s chase falls short despite fifties from Perera and Dulani

Chasing 176, Sri Lanka lost skipper Chamari Athapaththu (2) early but responded strongly with a 79-run second-wicket partnership between opener Hasini Perera (65 off 42 balls) and Imesha Dulani (50 off 39 balls).

Both batters struck the ball cleanly and rotated the strike well, with Dulani cracking eight fours and Perera holding one end firmly. However, their failure to clear the ropes during their 56-ball association meant Sri Lanka remained slightly behind the asking rate.

The turning point came in the 12th over when Amanjot Kaur (1/17) dismissed Dulani, breaking the dangerous partnership. Deepti then struck with the crucial wicket of Silva, and when Perera fell in the 17th over, Sri Lanka’s hopes were all but extinguished.

Despite fighting efforts from the lower order, Sri Lanka finished at 160/7, falling short by 15 runs as India’s spinners bowled stifling spells to restrict the boundaries in the death overs.

India cap exceptional World Cup-winning year

The 5-0 whitewash capped an exceptional year for India Women, who won the ODI World Cup earlier in 2025. The dominant display against Sri Lanka showcased India’s depth and firepower across all departments, with contributions coming from different players throughout the series.

With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, India’s clean sweep sends a strong message to rivals that they remain one of the most formidable sides in women’s cricket.