Deepti Sharma's Bengal connection (Source: @BCCIWomen/x.com)
On November 2, in the 41st over of the second innings fans biting nails and excitement soaring high, Deepti Sharma was ready with the ball and Laura Woolvaardt was on strike. Attempting a slog sweep, Wolvaardt mistimed it, and Amanjot Kaur took a sensational catch, sending the Protea skipper back and etching the moment into every fan’s memory.
That one breakthrough pushed the India Women to their long-awaited dream, and the all-rounder became a hero. She may have risen on the national stage in India Blue, but her cricketing soul carries a distinct shade of Bengal.
It sounds different as you all must be thinking how the UP girl has a connection with Bengal. Deepti represented Bengal Women, and his career took a dreamy flight from the soil of Bengal. Let’s explore her unknown story.
A young girl unfolds cricket dream with a thunderous throw
Every first in life is special when it becomes the first step towards a long-standing dream that turns iconic. Some kept searching the way to fulfill the dream, but for some, life created some iconic opportunities with marked an iconic beginning. For Deepti Sharma, the second instance became true, and the world got a superstar.
Hailing from Agra, Uttar Pradesh, Deepti Sharma’s Brother, Sumit Sharma, was a state-level cricketer and the Indian all-rounder used to accompany him in his practice sessions. On one such day, she went with her brother without imagining how that day would bring the biggest change of her life.
On that day, former Indian cricketer Hemlata Kala was coaching youngsters, and Deepti walked out to the session just out of curiosity. But when she hurled the ball from 50 meters and hit the stumps, not once, but twice, Kala was left stunned. Impressed by her raw talent and power, Kala encouraged Deepti to pursue a professional cricketing journey.
From Agra to Kolkata: Deepti Sharma embarks on her Bengal chapter
From starting career as a budding cricketer, Deepti Sharma’s rise was inspiring. Showcasing her talent in Uttar Pradesh’s domestic circuit, she soon earned her place in the national side, emerging as a gem with the potential for a long and illustrious career. But just when her rise seemed steady, another defining shift in her domestic journey was on the horizon.
The 2017 Women’s World Cup was the most heartbreaking one but Deepti Sharma grabbed attention with her performance. Just after finishing the tournament, her domestic career witnessed a significant shift as she made her way to Bengal cricket.
Joining Bengal Women, she was reunited with her senior teammate Jhulan Goswami and the significant move was influenced by former selector and Bengal star Mithu Mukherjee. During that time, the world was already aware of her heroics as she was a star but the stardom was far away from her nature. During her time in the Bengal camp, both Goswami and Mukherjee played pivotal roles in shaping her career, mentoring her every step of the way.
When Deepti first arrived in Kolkata, she stayed at Mithu Mukherjee’s apartment in Kumortuli and honed her skills on the bustling Kolkata Maidan. Donning Bengal Women’s jersey, she registered some of the incredible performances, Deepti rose from a youngster to one of the most gifted all-rounder ever. In the senior one day tournament, she scored 312 runs in six matches.
In the last season, the Uttar Pradesh girl made her way back to her home state and Bengal bid a hard goodbye. But Bengal remained her home away from home. In Behala, Deepti bought an apartment, just to stay close with her Bengal roots.
In her initial years, Kolkata maidan shaped her skills and Indian cricket her excellence. Even after moving back to UP, Bengal is still in Deepti’s heart. Despite being from another state, Bengal never treated her like an outsider and Deepti gave it back to Bengal cricket. In Deepti’s Heart, there is a bit on Bengal and in Bengal’s heart, there is whole lot of Deepti Sharma.
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