Deepti Sharma Writes History: Maiden ODI Hundred at No. 6 Powers India Women to 328 vs Zimbabwe

Deepti Sharma walked in with India Women wobbling and walked out with history. Against Zimbabwe in Vadodara, the No. 6 batter smashed an unbeaten 106 off 86 balls, powering a record 153-run stand with Harmanpreet Kaur and lifting India to a commanding 328.

India in Trouble Before Deepti Steps In

The Women in Blue were under pressure at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. Multiple top- and middle-order batters had gone, and Zimbabwe sensed an opening.

Harmanpreet Kaur stood firm at one end, but she needed a partner to push India towards a competitive total. Pratika Rawat had earlier built a solid platform with a half-century, yet the innings still needed a big second wind.

That is exactly when Deepti Sharma arrived, and the momentum swung in an instant.

A Turning Point at the Crease

Deepti attacked from the start. She kept finding the boundary, which allowed Harmanpreet to settle into a different role.

Kaur rotated the strike through sharp running between the wickets, while Deepti did the heavy hitting. It was a perfectly balanced partnership.

Deepti Sharma Rewrites the Record Books

Deepti reached her hundred in 83 balls and finished unbeaten on 106 off 86. Her innings included fifteen fours and a strike rate of 123.26.

She became the first Indian woman to score an ODI hundred at No. 6 or lower. That alone makes this knock a landmark moment for Indian women’s cricket.

The partnership with Harmanpreet was just as significant. Their 153-run stand is India Women’s highest for the fifth wicket or lower in ODIs.

Key Numbers From the Innings

Harmanpreet fell after a brilliant 126, but Deepti stayed until the end. Together with Pratika Rawat’s half-century, their efforts pushed India well beyond what looked possible at the start of the collapse.

One of the Fastest ODI Hundreds for India Women

Deepti’s 83-ball century also earns a place among the quickest in India Women’s ODI history. Smriti Mandhana still holds the top spot with a 50-ball ton against Australia in Delhi in 2025.

Mandhana also owns the second and third spots on the list. Harmanpreet Kaur sits fourth, just one ball ahead of Deepti.

Quickest ODI Hundreds for India Women (by balls)

Harmanpreet Kaur Salutes Deepti’s Fearless Knock

At the innings break, World Cup-winning Harmanpreet Kaur praised her partner. She explained how the two-wicket setback was followed by a strong stand with Pratika, before Deepti took over.

“After losing two wickets, Pratika and I had a very good partnership, and then Deepti did the magic on the pitch. When somebody just comes in and is getting boundaries, your job is to take singles and keep giving strike. Good to see that she was taking responsibility, and good to watch her from the other end. It wasn’t a true wicket.”

Kaur’s comments highlight the smart game awareness behind the partnership. One batter attacked, the other anchored, and Zimbabwe never found a way back in.

Why This Knock Matters

This was more than a big score. It was a lesson in how a lower-order batter can change an entire innings when the team needs it most.

For India, the performance shows serious depth in the batting lineup. A No. 6 who can score a hundred at a strike rate above 120 is a massive asset in any ODI contest.

Deepti Sharma has long been valued as a genuine all-round contributor. Tonight in Vadodara, she added a historic century to that reputation, and India Women have a total of 328 to show for it.