Deepti Sharma equals most wickets in Women's T20I history

The 28-year-old Indian spinner Deepti Sharma created history during the third Women's T20I of the five-match home series against Sri Lanka Women, as she became the first Indian and second overall bowler to record 150 Women's T20I wickets, and then also recorded the joint most wickets by any bowler in the history of Women's T20I.

Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram is hosting the third game of the series, where India Women are leading by 2-0 before this fixture on Friday night (December 26). After the Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss, she chose to field first. As the Indian bowlers were in complete control, Sri Lanka Women were restricted to only 112/7 in 20 overs.

While the Indian pacer Renuka Singh had the bowling figures of 4-1-21-4, Deepti Sharma, the experienced off-spinner, completed the innings with the bowling figures of 4-0-18-3.

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Deepti Sharma completed 150 WT20I wickets

The no.1 Women's T20I bowler Deepti Sharma returned to the game, while she missed out on the previous game due to illness. While she started to bowl in the powerplay, she got her first wicket of the match by dismissing Sri Lankan captain and dangerous opener Chamari Athapaththu for only three runs.

In her last two overs in two different spells, Deepti dismissed Kavisha Dilhari (20) and Malsha Shehani (5), respectively. 

By dismissing Kavisha in the 14th over, Deepti completed her 150 wickets in Women's T20I career, as she became the first Indian and second overall bowler to record 150 WT20I wickets. Later, by dismissing Malsha, Deepti equalled the record for most wickets in Women's T20I history, as it was her 151st WT20I wicket. 

Bowlers with most Women's T20I wickets

• Megan Schutt (Australia Women): 151 wickets
• Deepti Sharma (India Women): 151 wickets
• Henriette Ishimwe (Rwanda Women): 144 wickets
• Nida Dar (Pakistan Women): 144 wickets
• Sophie Ecclestone (England Women): 142 wickets

Deepti Sharma became first bowler to record 150 wickets in WODIs and WT20Is

Deepti Sharma is also the first bowler to record 150 wickets in both Women's ODIs and Women's T20Is. In her WODI career, Deepti has taken 162 wickets. Meanwhile, the other 150+ WT20I wicket-taker, Australian Megan Schutt has picked up 145 wickets in her WODI career.