&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 | Deepti Sharma sets world record with historic five-for against Pakistan")
India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma delivered a record-breaking performance, claiming a sensational five-wicket haul to guide India to a commanding 64-run victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in their opening match of the 2026 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup at Edgbaston on Sunday. The 28-year-old off-spinner produced career-best figures of 5/10 from her four overs, the finest bowling performance by an Indian woman in Women’s T20 World Cup history.
With this spell, Deepti also became the leading wicket-taker in Women’s T20 Internationals, moving to 166 wickets in 145 matches and surpassing Thailand’s Thipatcha Putthawong, who previously held the record with 165 scalps.
Her five-wicket haul placed her among an elite group of Indian bowlers to achieve the feat in a Women’s T20 World Cup, joining Priyanka Roy (5/16 vs Pakistan in 2009) and Renuka Singh Thakur (5/15 vs England in 2023).
Most wickets in Women’s T20 Internationals
- 166 - Deepti Sharma (India)
- 165 - Thipatcha Putthawong (Thailand)
- 160 - Henriette Ishimwe (Rwanda)
- 152 - Megan Schutt (Australia)
- 148 - Onnicha Kamchomphu (Thailand)
Deepti spins a web around Pakistan
Trending Stories
)
Lift accident? Maintenance, builders & makers are ALL liable now, rules Supreme Court: 3 major regulations | WION Decodes
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Delhi Consumer Court fines Indian Railways Rs 25,000 for making RAC passengers share one blanket
)
Kangana Ranaut clarifies her 'Generation Gutter' remark: 'Gen Z of our country are taking us to such heights' - watch
)
Assam floods 2026: Salman Khan, Alia Bhatt and other Bollywood celebrities extend support to affected families
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Netanyahu spent thousands of dollars on garden maintenance in wartime, report says | Gravitas
)
Ramayana trailer X review: Ranbir Kapoor, Yash shine in a visual spectacle fans call 'cinema at its finest'
)
28-year-old woman PhD scholar dies of electrocution on Panjab University campus
)
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke returns to Maharashtra, receives grand welcome in hometown
)
Ramayana Part 1 trailer out! Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash lead Nitesh Tiwari’s epic saga
)
Brewery offering 'free beer' the day Trump dies has license revoked - 'Will have to pry me out of my taprooms'
)
3.6mn people track 24hr Qantas flight from Melbourne to Toulouse: Pilot shifts, fuel tank and other details
)
ITR filing without Form 16? Here’s how salaried taxpayers can submit returns before July 31 deadline
)
British Airways flight comes close to 'nosediving' over London
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
DSP among 7 policemen killed as militants storm Pakistan checkpost; 8 attackers dead
)
North Korean colonel killed by firing squad for stealing grain as 'deeply shaken' officers watched
)
Mysterious projectile leaves massive crater in Poland near Ukraine border, probe launched
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
23ft python swallows man returning from party in Indonesia; family find body whole inside reptile
)
Missile lands in Poland, leaves crater as PM Donald Tusk says 'all indications' point to Moscow
)
Anthropic reveals India is Claude AI's No. 2 market. But what are Indians actually using the AI for? | WION Decodes
)
Are you an Indian on an H-1B visa? New US bill could make getting Green Card easier
)
582 tonnes, 150 million°C, 60 years: WION Decodes the mind-boggling numbers behind China's 'Artificial Sun'
)
Claude AI down? Anthropic confirms outage as users face errors across chatbot and API
)
Indian forces used pellet guns on Jul 20? SC hearing, police diary entry, MLC report and injured protesters' claims
)
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 8: India's full schedule, medal events and match timings
)
Student denied admission to IIT Kanpur's cybersecurity program hacks websites to prove a point
)
Nearly Rs 29 crore cash, 15 kg gold found at ex-bus driver's house in West Bengal
Set a target of 171, Pakistan struggled throughout the chase against India’s disciplined spin attack. Despite a brilliant 41 off 35 balls from Muneeba Ali, the batting unit found it difficult to handle the turn and changing pace offered by the surface.
Deepti took full advantage of the conditions, mixing her speeds effectively and consistently targeting the stumps. Her exceptional spell dismantled Pakistan’s middle and lower order, ending with remarkable figures of 5/10.
Shree Charani provided excellent support with figures of 3/21, while Shafali Verma chipped in with a wicket.
Five-wicket hauls for India in Women’s T20 World Cups
- 5/10 – Deepti Sharma vs Pakistan, Birmingham (2026)*
- 5/15 – Renuka Singh Thakur vs England, Gqeberha (2023)
- 5/16 – Priyanka Roy vs Pakistan, Taunton (2009)
Earlier, a classy 68 from 44 deliveries by Smriti Mandhana anchored India’s innings after an early slip at 18/2. She combined with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (36) in a crucial 91-run partnership that rebuilt the innings and laid the foundation for a competitive total.
The finishing touch came from Richa Ghosh, whose explosive 34 off 17 balls propelled India to 170/6.
India then completed a dominant all-round display by bowling Pakistan out for 106 in 17 overs, kicking off their World Cup campaign in style.
