India's quiet constant

There is a traditional theory about the tabla: that it is best used as an accompanying instrument. In cricket, off-spinning all-rounders often play that side role—essential, but rarely glamorous. They are rarely the rockstars.

Sana Mir, former Pakistan skipper and offspinning all-rounder, is an exception. And she recognises game.

When Mir first played against a 19-year-old Deepti Sharma in a 2017 ODI, the teenager represented the gulf between India and Pakistan cricket. On paper, nothing extraordinary: she conceded six runs, took one wicket in 10 overs, and scored an unbeaten 29 off 73 balls. But Mir saw the maturity and game sense—keeping her spell tidy, then taking the team over the line.

Deepti debuted at 16. As women's cricket became professional, she climbed to become one of the best all-rounders in the world. Now, after a decade of match-winning performances, a Player of the Tournament medal in a World Cup, and two wickets shy of the world record for most international wickets, Mir's eyes caught someone special.

Yet, while Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana soared to stardom, that grandeur escaped Deepti.

At the recent BCCI Awards, when asked who she'd trust to bowl the last over, Harmanpreet simply said: "Deepti."

Public acknowledgments for Deepti are rare. She herself struggles to break down her game, often limiting it to "kuch zyaada alag karneka try nahi karti hoon" (I don't try to do anything too different).

Amol Muzumdar compared her to Ben Stokes for her rapid throw and being the "hardest working cricketer who doesn't miss a match." But many former coaches approached about what makes her effective preferred to pass.

Public criticisms have stood out—slow scoring, trouble rotating strike, inability to cover the field quickly. As a bowler, she aborts her run-up mid-delivery, likely intentionally.

Her unglamorous contributions rarely get airtime in post-match analysis. But if she slows the scoring rate with the bat, it's not easy to miss.

She has found herself in the spotlight more often for going wrong in big moments—the inability to pinch a quick single against Australia in the 2025 World Cup semi-final, or overstepping against South Africa in the 2022 World Cup.

But past the highlight reels, there is more.

Deepti doesn't set the pace or finish with grand flourish. Her contributions are hidden in uneventful dot balls. Her biggest strength is soaking in pressure and adjusting to team requirements.

Among premier offspinners, she turns the ball least and gets little drift. But she's extremely effective because she's versatile, accurate with her stock delivery, and smart with variations.

She bowls effectively in all phases, against both right and left-handers, varying her pace from 69kmph to 90kmph. Variation increases as matches progress.

Much of her success comes from constant evolution. "I learn from every match where errors are happening," Deepti said. "I talk to Avishkar [Salvi] sir, watch my videos. You are considered a good player only when you think about how to improve even your good qualities."

2022 proved an inflection point. Since then, she has been among the most prolific wicket-takers while remaining stingy.

ODIs:

• Till Dec 2021: 43 wickets, avg 30.78, SR 45.7, ER 4.03
• Since Jan 2022: 97 wickets, avg 25.5, SR 31.2, ER 4.88

T20Is:

• Till Dec 2021: 58 wickets, avg 21.13, SR 20.7, ER 6.12
• Since Jan 2022: 102 wickets, avg 18.45, SR 17.4, ER 6.32

She has been especially good at death overs—leading wicket-taker in ODIs and joint-highest with Sophie Ecclestone in T20Is.

"I train with five to six different balls—light, heavy, slightly heavy, small balls. It helps me understand differences with each ball and improve accuracy. When you can land different types of balls at the same spot with the same action, it builds confidence."

Deepti has also amassed over 4,000 international runs. Not at an enviable strike rate, but always bankable to hold one end up. She has moved from opener to finisher, posted the highest individual ODI score by an Indian, and counter pace, spin, and swing.

But her flaws are evident: too slow to start, can suck momentum, struggles rotating strike, not ideal for death-overs hitting. Her evolution has been slower than the game itself.

Still aged 28, she has time to alter the peak and garner recognition worthy of her contributions.

When the spotlight came, it came with a packed schedule and empty stomach.

One August Monday in 2023, Deepti was in demand for interviews as UP Warriorz's most popular face. Jumping from one call to another before and after long training sessions, she was exhausted.

"Jitne sawaal the sabne sab pooch liya," she said frustratedly. "Bas kisi ne yeh nahi poocha ke khaana khaya ke nahi" (Everyone asked all their questions. Nobody asked if I'd eaten).

Some things about being the essential, invisible one never quite change.