Guwahati: India Women kickstarted their campaign of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 with a thrilling 59-run victory over Sri Lanka Women at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, and it was Deepti who took the headlines - with bat, ball, and sheer presence on the field.

Sent in to bat, India faced a testing start. Smriti Mandhana, full of intent, went after Udeshika Prabodhani but found only the fielder at deep point for 8. The stadium collectively gasped.

Pratika Rawal and Harleen Deol tried to steady the ship, but Inoka Ranaweera, the Sri Lankan spinner with an almost predatory eye, ripped through the Indian top order. Four wickets in quick succession, and suddenly India were 124 for 6 - a moment that had fans biting their nails, hearts pounding with every delivery.

Enter Deepti Sharma. Calm, measured, unflappable - she strode to the crease as if carrying the entire Indian hopes in her pocket. Partnering with Amanjot Kaur, she began a partnership that would prove decisive. Every run was a statement, every shot timed to perfection, splitting fielders and racing to the rope. Deepti’s 53 came off 53 balls - elegant yet aggressive, a masterclass in rebuilding an innings under relentless pressure.

Amanjot Kaur, too, played with poise, patience, and calculated aggression. Deepti guided the innings, rotating the strike, absorbing pressure when boundaries were scarce, and ensuring that the scoreboard ticked over. Singles, nudges, clever placements — Deepti orchestrated the rhythm, allowing Amanjot to play with freedom. And when Sneh Rana entered the fray, unleashing a series of sixes and boundaries, the platform laid by Deepti allowed India to accelerate fearlessly.

The Indian innings was dotted with drama. Deepti’s deft touches, the reverse sweeps, the perfectly timed drives — each shot a lesson in timing and placement. Richa Ghosh and Harleen Deol added glimpses of brilliance, while Sri Lanka struggled to contain the momentum. Deepti’s presence was magnetic, drawing the field and creating gaps, all while exuding calm.

And Deepti’s impact was not confined to the bat. With ball in hand, she became equally decisive. Three crucial wickets — including the prized scalp of Chamari Athapaththu — stemmed any Sri Lankan resurgence. Her spin danced and teased, probing the crease, drawing the batters into mistakes. Every breakthrough was a reminder that India’s all-round star was in full control.

Sri Lanka, however, refused to fold quietly. Nilakshi de Silva’s 35 and Athapaththu’s 43 kept the scoreboard moving, and some smart lower-order hitting — including Prabodhani’s 43 off 47 and Kulasuriya’s resilient 17 — made India’s task nervy at times. Deepti’s combined influence ensured that Sri Lanka never got close enough to threaten a chase. India wrapped up the innings at 211 in 45.4 overs, a total built on resilience and precision.

The match was a showcase of individual brilliance meshed with team effort, but Deepti Sharma’s day was the defining narrative. She rebuilt a fragile innings, anchored her team, accelerated when necessary, and then dismantled the opposition with the ball. Timing, temperament, and tactical acumen were her weapons — and she wielded them with elegance.

As match ended, the fans erupted in celebration. They had not only claimed a convincing victory but had done so with nerve, style, and the certainty that their star allrounder was ready for the big stage. Deepti walked off the field, the calm in the storm, the architect of victory, and the first statement of a World Cup campaign that promises drama, skill, and unforgettable moments.