India’s dominant batting display
Winning the toss and opting to bat, India Women put up a commanding total of 428 runs in their first innings. The top-order batters Shubha Satheesh, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Yastika Bhatia played pivotal roles, scoring 69, 68, and 66 runs respectively. Deepti continued the batting onslaught with a valuable 67 runs. England’s Lauren Bell and Sophie Ecclestone managed to pick up three wickets each but couldn’t prevent India from amassing a substantial lead.
Deepti Sharma’s brilliance with both bat and ball
However, it was Deepti who stole the limelight with her all-round performance. Not only did she contribute significantly with the bat, but she also wreaked havoc in England’s batting lineup during their first innings on Day 2. England were bundled out for a mere 136 runs in just 35.3 overs, largely due to Sharma’s exceptional bowling figures of 5/7. The remarkable feat made her only the second Indian woman and the 13th overall to achieve the milestone of scoring fifty runs and taking five wickets in an innings in a Test match.
Historical significance of Deepti’s exceptional performance
Sharma’s feat places her in elite company, joining Shubhangi Kulkarni, who achieved a similar milestone back in 1985 against New Zealand. The significance of Deepti’s performance is further highlighted by her economical spell, conceding only seven runs while picking up five wickets. This makes her achievement the third fewest runs conceded to secure a 5-for in Women’s Tests.
Also WATCH: Renuka Thakur’s magical inswinging delivery bamboozles Sophia Dunkley during India vs England Women’s one-off Test
India’s strong position
With England trailing by a massive margin, India is now in a commanding position to push for a comprehensive victory in the one-off Test. The team aims to build on their already mammoth lead, putting the visitors on the back foot and asserting their dominance.
Fans and experts erupt in praise for Deepti
As India bowled out England courtesy of Deepti’s exceptional performance, Twitter erupted with praise and excitement. Fans, cricket analysts, and former players showered accolades on Sharma, commending her match-winning contribution.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
?? UNSTOPPABLE! The session was under Deepti Sharma's command.
The England Women had no answer to our bowler's magic and were cheaply dismissed for 136.
? Getty • #INDWvENGW #INDvENG #TeamIndia #BharatArmy #COTI?? pic.twitter.com/u55xKmYLkp
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) December 15, 2023
Deepti Sharma destroys England taking 5-7. yep, 5-7. Off 5.3 overs with 4 maidens. India in the box set with a first innings lead of 292! Ya love to see it. #INDvENG
— Ricky??? (@galumay) December 15, 2023
Also READ: India’s Smriti Mandhana and England’s Tammy Beaumont divided over the idea of introducing ICC Women’s World Test Championship
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
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