Deepti Sharma makes history: first-ever cricketer with 1,000 runs and 150 T20I wickets
India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma has created history, becoming the first-ever cricketer — male or female — to record 1,000 runs and 150 wickets in T20 Internationals. The landmark moment arrived during the third T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, where Deepti’s brilliant three-wicket performance powered India to another commanding win and a 3–0 unassailable series lead.
A world-first milestone in T20 internationals
Deepti achieved the rare double when she dismissed Kavisha Dilhari in the 14th over, marking her 150th T20I wicket. With that breakthrough, she not only entered cricket’s all-time records but also became the joint-highest wicket-taker in women’s T20I history, tying with Australia’s Megan Schutt on 151 wickets.
She later added another scalp — Malsha Shehani — taking her tally to 151 wickets in 131 matches. Deepti reached the milestone at an impressive average of 18.73 and a strike rate of 18.43, underlining her consistency and match-winning ability across formats. In comparison, Schutt achieved the same mark in 123 matches, averaging 17.70 with a strike rate of 16.57.
Her all-round achievement — 1,000-plus runs combined with 150 wickets — is unprecedented in the history of T20 cricket and highlights her unique contribution as a genuine match-winner for India.
Third-highest wicket-taker in women’s international cricket
Deepti’s performance lifted her to third on the all-time list of wicket-takers in women’s international cricket, with 333 career wickets across all formats. She sits just behind the legendary Jhulan Goswami (355) and England’s Katherine Sciver-Brunt (335), both of whom defined consistency in women’s fast bowling.
Deepti’s rise as a world-class spinner and dependable lower-order batter has made her a cornerstone of India’s white-ball teams, with her success spanning both international cricket and the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
A golden year for Deepti Sharma
The year 2025 has been extraordinary for Deepti. Earlier this year, she was named Player of the Tournament at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, where India lifted their maiden title on home soil. Her all-round excellence — wickets at key moments and vital lower-order runs — proved instrumental in that triumph.
Her brilliance also translated into success at the Tata Women’s Premier League (WPL). Picked up by the UP Warriorz for a staggering Rs 3.2 crore, the second-highest bid in WPL history, Deepti’s value as a leader and finisher was firmly recognised.
With India already leading the ongoing five-match T20I series against Sri Lanka 3–0, her milestone adds yet another glittering chapter to a career that continues to redefine the standards of Indian women’s cricket.
What makes Deepti’s feat so special?
Across both men’s and women’s T20 cricket, several all-rounders have dominated the game — from Shakib Al Hasan, Ellyse Perry, and Sophie Devine to Ben Stokes — yet none managed to reach this combined milestone of 1,000 runs and 150 wickets.
Deepti’s ability to deliver control, accuracy, and breakthroughs when needed, combined with her ability to contribute consistently with the bat, has made her the heartbeat of India’s limited-overs teams. At just 28, she is already carving out a legacy worthy of comparison with some of the sport’s greatest multi-dimensional cricketers.