Deepti Sharma Shatters Records, But Is She the Greatest All-Rounder Ever?
In a stunning display of cricketing prowess, Deepti Sharma has etched her name into the history books as the highest wicket-taker in women's T20 Internationals. During the fifth T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram, she claimed her 152nd wicket in just 133 matches, surpassing Australia's Meghan Schutt. But here's where it gets even more impressive: Deepti is also the first player in history, male or female, to score over 1000 runs and take 150-plus wickets in the T20I format. This dual achievement raises a thought-provoking question: Is Deepti Sharma the greatest all-rounder the game has ever seen?
Her dominance doesn’t stop there. Deepti is now closing in on Jhulan Goswami's record for the most wickets in women's international cricket. With 334 wickets across formats, she’s hot on the heels of Goswami’s 355. And this is the part most people miss: Deepti’s versatility makes her a game-changer, capable of influencing matches with both bat and ball.
Smriti Mandhana’s Record-Breaking Year: A New Benchmark for Batswomen?
Meanwhile, Smriti Mandhana has been rewriting the record books with her bat. In 2025, she scored an astonishing 1703 international runs, the most by any batter in a calendar year in women's cricket. This surpasses her own record of 1659 runs set in 2024. With 10,053 international runs, she’s the fourth batter and second Indian to cross the 10,000-run milestone, joining legends like Mithali Raj, Charlotte Edwards, and Suzie Bates. But here’s the controversial part: Is Mandhana’s rapid rise a sign of the evolving modern game, or is she simply in a league of her own?
Mandhana’s achievements don’t end there. She’s the youngest and fastest to reach 10,000 runs, doing so in just 280 innings. She also completed 4000 T20I runs, becoming only the second woman to achieve this feat after Suzie Bates. Her 80 sixes in T20Is are the most by an Indian, and her 33 fifty-plus scores in WT20Is are unmatched. But is her dominance sustainable, or will the pressure of expectations eventually catch up?
India’s Team Records: A New Era of Dominance?
India Women’s team has been on a roll, too. Their highest-ever total of 221/2 against Sri Lanka in the fourth T20I is a testament to their firepower. This is also the highest total in Women’s T20Is without an individual century, showcasing their collective strength. The 162-run opening stand between Mandhana and Shafali Verma is India’s highest partnership for any wicket in T20Is, and their 3107 partnership runs make them the most prolific duo in women’s T20Is. But here’s a counterpoint: Is India’s success a result of individual brilliance, or is it a reflection of a well-oiled team machine?
Shafali Verma, too, has been in scintillating form, scoring three successive fifties in the series against Sri Lanka. Her 241 runs in the series are the most by an Indian batter in a bilateral T20I series. With three Player of the Series awards, she’s already among the greats. But can she maintain this form over the long term, or is she peaking too early?
The Bigger Picture: Women’s Cricket on the Rise
These records aren’t just numbers; they’re a testament to the rapid growth of women’s cricket. From Deepti Sharma’s all-round brilliance to Smriti Mandhana’s batting masterclasses, the game is evolving at an unprecedented pace. But here’s a question to ponder: Are we doing enough to promote and support women’s cricket globally, or is it still a niche sport in many parts of the world?
As we celebrate these achievements, let’s also reflect on the challenges that lie ahead. Is the future of women’s cricket as bright as it seems, or are there hurdles we’re not addressing? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going!
