Deepti Sharma's form a concern, but India keep faith in her before T20 World Cup
SAW vs INDW, 4th T20I: Head coach Amol Muzumdar admitted that Deepti Sharma's dip in form is a concern, but backed her to bounce back. She has gone wicketless in her last five T20Is and has an economy rate of 10.73 on the tour of South Africa.
India Women head coach Amol Muzumdar admitted that Deepti Sharma’s dip in form is a concern, but backed her to deliver in the upcoming T20 World Cup. Deepti has struggled of late, going wicketless in her last five T20Is and conceding runs at an expensive economy rate of 9.25, well above her career mark of 6.23.
In the ongoing T20I series against South Africa, she is yet to pick up a wicket and has an economy rate of 10.73. Speaking ahead of the fourth T20I at the Wanderers in Johannesburg on Saturday, April 25, Muzumdar acknowledged the concerns around her form.
"Look, I don't want to beat around the bush, I just want to say that yeah, it's a bit of a concern as far as Deepti is concerned," Muzumdar said in the pre-match press conference.
Deepti’s form with the bat in hand has also been concerning. Since the Women’s T20 World Cup in October 2024, she has scored just 90 runs from 11 innings at an average of 11.25, with a highest score of 29. Notably, she is yet to reach double figures in 2025.
‘DEEPTI SHARMA A CLASS PLAYER’
Muzumdar, meanwhile, backed Deepti to rediscover her form. The former cricketer said she possesses immense class and is the kind of player who thrives under pressure, especially in World Cups.
"For all champion players are, form is, you know, temporary, class is permanent, it's a cliche, but it applies to all the players, and she's a class player, there's no doubt about it, we have seen it in the World Cup, in bigger tournaments, in pressure situations, she has stood up for India," Muzumdar added.
While Deepti has struggled of late, India too haven’t been at their best. After a 2-1 T20I series win in Australia, they have since lost the series to South Africa, conceding a 3-0 lead to the hosts.
With the T20 World Cup approaching, India still have five T20Is remaining, including three in England, and will be keen to settle on the right combinations in their bid to challenge for the title.