PANAJI
With the Senior Women’s Elite T20 (Group A) underway at the GCA Academy, Porvorim, among the few internationals in action is one of the better all-rounders in the women’s game. Deepti Sharma finished the Women’s World Cup in England last year as India’s fifth highest run-getter and leading wicket-taker. After scoring a delightful unbeaten 40 for Bengal against Madhya Pradesh, the all-rounder sat down with this writer for an exclusive interview. Excerpts:
The Goan: How did you get initiated into cricket?
Deepti Sharma: My big brother Sumit Sharma used to play cricket for MP (age-level). When I was nine, I went along with him to the ground. I was sitting on the steps watching the girls practise. A stray ball came towards me. I caught it and hit the stumps directly with my throw. The coach there, Hemlata Kala, who played for India Women queried about me and suggested I play.
TG: How did you progress through the ranks?
DS: Back then, there was no U-16 Girls. I used to play for Agra at the District Level in Uttar Pradesh. Step by step I moved up. Starting with India, NCA camps which were residential. Then I played the Challengers Trophy. At various levels, I continued to perform and eventually moved to playing for India.
TG: Talk us through your first India game …
DS: I made my India debut in November 2014 against South Africa in Bengaluru. I took two wickets.
TG: Talking of South Africa, India is set to tour the country next month. How do you view the side?
DS: South Africa is a good team. They are a good all-round unit. It will be a good fight against them. We have to play positive cricket on their home soil. If we beat them, it will be a big plus.
TG: You played your first World Cup last year in England. How was the experience?
DS: It was a very good experience with all the seniors who groomed us (first-timers) well. It was nice to share the dressing room with them. It is everyone’s dream to play for India.
I want to credit my family, and particularly, my coach, Vipin Awasthi under whom I have trained since the last four years. I would also like to thank my mentor, Rita Dey who motivates me prior to a match and helps a lot in my personal life as well.
TG: In a WODI versus Ireland last year, you set a world record opening partnership of 320 runs with Punam Raut, contributing 188. Did you have the mindset of batting it out?
DS: When I go out to bat, I never think along those lines. I believe that the more you stay cool, you will stay longer out in the middle and you will be able to handle pressure better. My thought process is such that whenever you go out to bat, you have to handle the situation. How the ball comes on to the bat on the wicket, you have to understand to stay on the wicket and then you will able to score runs.
TG: What was the atmosphere ahead of the big final against England in the Women’s World Cup?
DS: It was quite good. With the match played at Lords, which is a well-known ground and playing in front of a huge crowd is a big thing.
There was always going to be pressure as it was a final. India had reached the finals after a long time so it was again, pressure. Loss or a win is bound to happen, but we played well.
TG: How did the team feel after narrowly losing out on the coveted women’s World Cup title?
DS: Those 9 runs (margin of defeat to England) we will always remember it. It is something we cannot forget. We may have lost, but we will learn from our small mistakes. In the 2018 WC T20 (November, West Indies) we should not repeat those mistakes. We could not get the Cup earlier, we should get it now.
TG: What prompted your move from UP to Bengal at the start of the season?
DS: With Jhulan (Goswami) as a senior and with Bengal, I felt I can learn from her. I am learning a lot from her, there is still more to learn. She is the Bengal captain, plays for the country and has captained the country earlier. Given her experience, I feel I can get groomed under her.
TG: What are your dreams as a cricketer?
DS: At first it was to play for India. My next dream is to play for India for a long time and stay in the team. I also want to be a part of the Twenty20 World Cup.
TG: Message to aspiring women cricketers …
DS: Women’s cricket is moving ahead now. There are young girls who look at us and learn and wish to play cricket as well. I would like to tell them, even if they are studying, to put their mind in what they do and with 100 percent efforts. It is not that they cannot achieve it. If you stay positive, everything can be fulfilled.
