Deepti Sharma Climbs to the Top of Women's Cricket Wicket-Taking Charts

Some records take years to build and even longer to match. During India's commanding win over the Netherlands at the ongoing Women's T20 World Cup 2026, all-rounder Deepti Sharma did exactly that, equalling the all-time wicket-taking record in women's international cricket and placing herself alongside one of the format's pioneering names.

The Spell That Sealed the Record

Breaking Down the Numbers

Deepti's effort with the ball was tidy rather than flashy, but it was enough to etch her name into the record books. A closer look at how the milestone unfolded:

1. She returned figures of one wicket for 26 runs across her three-over spell.

2. The dismissal that brought up the milestone was that of Netherlands batter Phebe Molkenboer.

3. The wicket took her tally to 355 international wickets, matching the long-standing mark.

Matching a Legend Who Paved the Way

The record she equalled belongs to former Indian pacer Jhulan Goswami, widely regarded as one of the pioneers of the women's game in India. Goswami, who retired in 2022 after a career that spanned well over a decade, had stood alone at the top of the all-time wicket-takers list for years. With this latest strike, Deepti now shares that summit with her former teammate, leaving her with a genuine chance to move ahead outright as her career continues.

Where She Stands Among the Greats

The All-Time Wicket-Takers List

The achievement becomes even more significant when placed alongside the rest of the leaderboard:

• Jhulan Goswami and Deepti Sharma – 355 wickets (joint-highest)

• Katherine Sciver-Brunt (England) – 335 wickets

• Ellyse Perry (Australia) – 332 wickets

• Sophie Ecclestone (England) – 327 wickets

• Shabnim Ismail (South Africa) – 318 wickets

A Career Built on All-Round Impact

What sets Deepti apart from many bowlers on that list is the balance she brings with the bat as well. She has previously become the first cricketer, across men's and women's T20I cricket, to combine 1,000 runs with 150 wickets in the format, a rare double that reflects just how complete her all-round game has become over the years.

India's Winning Momentum at the World Cup

Deepti's milestone arrived in a match India dominated from start to finish. After restricting the Netherlands to just 114 runs, the side cruised to a 95-run victory, a result that pushed them to the top of their group with maximum points from their opening matches. For a team chasing another major title, contributions like this from senior players add valuable depth to an already strong campaign.

Why Milestones Like This Capture Fan Attention

Records that take years to build tend to generate a special kind of excitement among followers of the sport, with fans tracking numbers, comparing eras, and debating where a player ranks among the greats. That same enthusiasm for milestones and competitive comparisons often carries over into other forms of entertainment people enjoy following sport. Platforms such as Winmatch cater to this interest by offering a mix of engaging challenges and fun titles built around competitive spirit and entertainment, giving cricket fans another outlet to enjoy that same sense of anticipation.

Final Thoughts

Deepti Sharma's rise to the top of women's cricket's all-time wicket-taking charts is the product of years of consistent performances across formats. By matching a record once held solely by Jhulan Goswami, she has placed herself firmly among the finest bowlers the women's game has produced, with the possibility of standing alone at the summit still well within reach as the tournament progresses.