Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur hailed star all-rounder Deepti Sharma for the latter`s all-round brilliance in India`s ICC Women`s World Cup 2025 opener against Sri Lanka on Tuesday. Deepti had walked in to bat with the Women in Blue being in a spot of bother having lost a cluster of wickets. However, she formed a crucial partnership with Amanjot Kaur and also scored a sensational 53 herself to take India to a respectable position of 269/8.
Both Deepti and Amanjot stitched a crucial 103-run partnership for the seventh wicket and the captain Harmanpreet was thrilled with the way the pair handled extreme pressure.
Here`s what Harmanpreet Kaur had to say about the partnership between Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur after the match as quoted by ANI:
“It wasn`t an easy game. We know every game is important and every game is high-pressure. In the middle overs, our batters managed really well. The way Deepti and Amanjot handled the situation was outstanding to watch. Having batting depth is key for us. Amanjot and Deepti were outstanding today. Overall, a good game for us.”
Deepti Sharma not only scored a stylish half-century, but also picked up three wickets with the ball, including the big wicket of the opposition skipper Chamari Athapaththu. She shed light on what the mindset was during her partnership with Amanjot and also spoke about her go-to plans as a bowler and how she executed them.
Here`s what she said after the match as quoted by ANI:
“It (partnership with Amanjot) was a turning point, we had lost back-to-back wickets, we spoke about taking the game deep till the 46th-47th over. There was no pressure; I am used to such situations and playing such knocks. The partnership was important with Amanjot. I enjoy my batting. When the wicket is like this then I focus on my stock ball and try to hit the stumps.”
In response to India`s 269/8, Sri Lanka could only get bundled out in the end for 211 as the hosts won their opening ICC Women`s World Cup 2025 encounter by 58 runs in a rain-shortened 48-overs-a-side game. India will now face Pakistan in their next game on Sunday, October 5, at Colombo.
(With inputs from ANI)