IND-W vs AUS-W, 2nd ODI: Deepti Sharma Scalps Five As Australia Crumble To India's Spin Attack

Deepti Sharma’s versatility was in full display as she wove magic with the ball to scalp a fantastic five-for against Australia, putting them on the back foot in the 2nd ODI at Wankhede, Mumbai.

Sharma bowled a magical spell in the first innings, giving away a mere 38 runs in 10 overs as she picked away at the Australian batting lineup, wreaking havoc with her off-break.

Along the way, Deepti Sharma became the first Asian bowler to pick up a five-for against Australia Women’s Team, and also collected the best ODI figures by an Indian woman against Australia.

After the innings, Deepti said, “Whenever I would get my chance to bowl, I was always prepared. I back my strengths and try to hit the right areas. I bowled a bit slower today because the wicket was dry and helped spinners. All I had to do was bowl in the right areas. I believe we performed very well as a bowling unit. Fielding wasn’t up to the mark but we’ll bounce back.”

Australia got off to a fair start after losing skipper Alyssa Healy, with Phoebe Litchfield and talisman batter Ellyse Perry notching fifties of their own, before Deepti Sharma began to set out on her hunt for wickets.

Debutant Shreyanka Patil helped open Deepti Sharma’s account with a stellar catch to dismiss danger woman Ellyse Perry right after she reached her fifty.

The wickets then kept tumbling as next up was Beth Mooney, who was dismissed for LBW, even after a third umpire appeal from Australia.

Tahlia McGrath was next to follow, as Deepti completely bamboozled and rattled the stumps clean.

For her penultimate wicket, it was Georgia Wareham who fell victim. Wareham went down the wicket to flick the flighted delivery from Deepti but however ended up chipping it straight to Smriti Mandhana at mid-wicket.

For her historic fifer to be completed, it was Annabel Sutherland, who chipped a slow tossed up delivery right back to Deepti who took a sharp catch in her follow-through.

By the end of it all, Australia put up 258 runs in 50 overs to set up a formidable target for the Indian women to chase.