Deepti does the star turn for India in first ODI

During the first ODI between India and England played at The Rose Bowl in Southampton, there was a moment when one got a glimpse of a shot that Rishabh Pant has made famous -- a one-handed six. Playing that shot was none other than the most consistent and impactful left-handed batter in the women’s team, Deepti Sharma.

- Shalini Gupta

In the 38th over of the second innings, she struck a ball from Lauren Bell so cleanly that it didn’t even matter that one hand was off the handle. With a big smile on her face, she walked over to her teammate Jemimah Rodrigues to share the joy.

On Wednesday, the 27-year-old Sharma scored an unbeaten and composed 62 off 64 balls as India successfully chased down a target of 259 in the opening match of the three-match series against England to help the visitors take 1-0 lead. With this knock, Sharma has once again proved how dangerous she can be in the finisher’s role. Openers Pratika Rawal (36 off 51) and Smriti Mandhana (28 off 24) added 48 runs before the latter was the first batter to be dismissed.

Pratika and Harleen Deol steadied the ship and took the total to 94 before the opener was dismissed.