IND vs WI, 3rd WODI: Deepti Sharma savours allround performance as India clinches series
IND vs WI, 3rd WODI: Deepti Sharma savours allround performance as India clinches series
Crunch situations bring out the best in Deepti Sharma. The seasoned campaigner looks for moments where she can step up and guide her team out of the woods.
And at the Kotambi Stadium on Friday, she made the most of the opportunity.
After her all-round performance – a six-fer, followed by an unbeaten 39 – guided India to a convincing five-wicket victory in the final women’s ODI against the West Indies, Deepti was happy to contribute to the team’s success.
“I like challenges as those are the moments when you can step up and deliver for your team. Crunch situations don’t come too often, so when I am in that phase, I always enjoy being there. I back my all-round skills to handle those situations,” Deepti said.
Despite losing three wickets inside the first six overs, West Indies rode on a steady partnership between Shemaine Campbelle and Chinelle Henry to breach the 100-run mark before Deepti struck.
“There was a bit of moisture in the wicket in the morning, and as an off-spinner, my aim was to grab quick wickets and break their partnership. That’s something Hary di (captain Harmanpreet Kaur) and I were discussing. When Campbelle and Henry built that partnership, we wanted a quick breakthrough and I’m glad we could get that,” Deepti, who registered her second six-wicket haul, said.
Chasing a low total, India was in a spot of bother when Deepti walked out to bat, and eventually ensured that there was no slip-up. “I backed myself and batted with the mindset that I’ll have to build a partnership with Jemi to guide the team home. I always come with a positive mindset and aim to contribute to the team’s success…”
India suffered an embarrassing defeat against Australia earlier this month but came back stronger against the West Indies at home. During the challenging times, staying together as a unit helped the team bounce back.
“There are times when one odd game or a series don’t go your way, but we are a closely-knit unit and we back each other to the hilt and that’s why, we bounce back so quickly,” Deepti said, adding that when the chips are down, the players hang out together, have regular conversations are also involved in team-bonding exercises.
“That’s how we overcome the disappointment and get ready for the next assignment. It keeps us going,” she said.
