Kolkata: A few years back nobody knew the name of her, but after her brilliant performance in the ICC Women’s World Cup, now everyone knows the name of Indian Women’s cricket team’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma. Though she is from Uttar Pradesh but the star all-rounder will play for Bengal in this season. Virat Kohli & Co. is currently playing the first of three match Test series against Sri Lanka at the Eden Gardens. In between that Deepti visited the Cricket Association of Bengal today to complete his registration. Earlier in the month of May, Deepti Sharma (188) and Poonam Raut (109 retd. hurt) created a new world record in Women’s One-Day Internationals with an opening stand of 320 runs during India’s game against Ireland at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom in a Quadrangular Series. Her 188 runs knock was the highest score among any Indian woman. In the same match she surpassed England’s Charlotte Edwards to become the second highest individual scorer in an innings in ODI cricket. While talking to the media, Deepti said everything regarding her decision of playing for Bengal and her future plans. EXCERPTS:
Q: What is the reason behind your decision of coming to Bengal from Uttar Pradesh?
Deepti: In UP there was no player who is currently playing for India but here I can get advices from Jhulu Di (Jhulan Goswami). She was a former captain of Indian women’s cricket team. I can learn a lot from her regarding captaincy as well as the game plan. Except Jhulu Di, I can get precious advices from Dada (Sourav Ganguly). He was a left hander batsman and I can get some precious suggestions from him as I am a left hander too.
Q: Are there any changes happened in your life after reaching the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup few months back?
Deepti: I have been representing the Indian team since 2014 but everyone started knowing me when I performed well for the nation in the World Cup. Now whenever I go outside from my home fans come to me to take selfies and autographs. This shows that women’s cricket is improving day by day.
Q: You broke the record of England’s Charlotte Edwards to become the second highest individual scorer in an innings in ODI cricket. What was going through your mind during that innings?
Deepti: It was our match against Ireland during a Quadrangular Series in South Africa. I don’t think about any individual records whenever I play for my country. In that game I just tried to play my normal game and hit the ball on its merit. Before that series I did a lot of hard work to improve my batting and my coach Vipin Awasti too helped me to improve my game. I am thankful to him and my brother as without them I couldn’t reach this far in my career.
Q: Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana have already played Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) from India. Do you aim to play in BBL one day?
Deepti: It is a dream of every professional cricketer to play in foreign leagues. If I get a chance to play there I will definitely want to go there to be a part of it.
Q: In a recent interview you told that you want to learn carom ball as Ashwin does in men’s cricket. Have you finally learned the carom ball?
Deepti: During my free time at home, I have learned how to bowl a carom ball from my coach sir. I always follow Ravichandran Ashwin, he is a great off-spinner.