Deepti Sharma creates history after scoring ODI century as India’s No. 6 batter

Deepti Sharma Makes History With First ODI Century at No. 6 or Below

Deepti Sharma produced a landmark innings for India Women, scoring an unbeaten century against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium in Kotambi, Vadodara. Arriving with India under pressure after losing several top- and middle-order wickets, the all-rounder turned a difficult position into a commanding finish, helping the hosts post 328.

Her 106 not out from 86 balls was more than a match-shaping contribution. Deepti became the first Indian woman to score an ODI hundred while batting at No. 6 or lower, adding another notable achievement to her career. The innings also strengthened her reputation as a dependable middle-order batter capable of shifting gears when the team needs momentum.

A Crucial Partnership Changes India’s Innings

India needed stability after early setbacks, and Harmanpreet Kaur provided it with a composed, substantial innings. Deepti’s arrival gave the partnership a different tempo. While Harmanpreet built her score and rotated the strike, Deepti attacked the bowling and found the boundary regularly.

The pair added 153 runs for the fifth wicket, setting a new record for India Women’s highest ODI partnership for the fifth wicket or lower. Their stand transformed the innings, giving India the platform to finish strongly rather than settle for a modest total. Harmanpreet was eventually dismissed for 126, while Deepti remained at the crease until the end.

Deepti’s 86-ball knock included 15 fours and came at a strike rate of 123.26. Her boundary-hitting kept Zimbabwe’s bowlers under pressure and ensured the scoring rate stayed high through the closing stages. Pratika Rawat had also contributed a half-century earlier in the innings, giving India valuable support before the decisive partnership took shape.

Deepti Joins India’s Fastest ODI Century List

Deepti reached three figures from 83 balls, placing her among the quickest century-makers in India Women’s ODI history. Smriti Mandhana holds the record for the fastest Indian women’s ODI hundred, having scored a 50-ball century against Australia in Delhi in 2025. Mandhana also recorded centuries from 70 and 77 balls during the same year.

The quickest ODI hundreds for India Women, measured by balls faced, include:

50 balls: Smriti Mandhana vs Australia, Delhi, 2025
70 balls: Smriti Mandhana vs Ireland, Rajkot, 2025
77 balls: Smriti Mandhana vs Australia, Mullanpur, 2025
82 balls: Harmanpreet Kaur vs England, Chester-le-Street, 2025
83 balls: Deepti Sharma vs Zimbabwe, Vadodara, 2026

While Deepti’s hundred was not the fastest on the list, its importance lies in the situation and batting position. She arrived when India needed a partnership, then accelerated without losing control. That balance between responsibility and aggression is a valuable quality in the middle order, particularly in ODIs where teams must recover from early wickets while still building a competitive total.

Harmanpreet Praises Deepti’s Impact

Speaking at the innings break, Harmanpreet praised Deepti’s approach and the way she took responsibility after joining the partnership. The India captain explained that after her stand with Pratika, Deepti brought immediate energy to the innings by finding boundaries, allowing Harmanpreet to focus on taking singles and keeping the strike moving.

Harmanpreet also noted that the pitch was not especially easy for batting, making Deepti’s fluent strokeplay all the more impressive. Her assessment highlighted an important feature of the innings: Deepti was not simply scoring quickly, but adapting her role to the needs of the partnership. One batter could attack while the other maintained continuity, giving India both stability and acceleration.

What the Innings Means for India

India’s total of 328, built on centuries from Harmanpreet and Deepti and a half-century from Pratika, gave the team a strong foundation against Zimbabwe. The innings demonstrated the depth available in India’s batting order and the value of contributions beyond the top three. When early wickets fall, a middle-order player who can rebuild and then attack can make a decisive difference.

For Deepti, the performance adds a significant milestone to her ODI record and may influence future team strategy. Her ability to bat at No. 6, handle pressure and score at a high rate gives India flexibility in how it structures the lower middle order. It also offers a useful prediction for upcoming matches: opponents may need to plan carefully for Deepti’s ability to punish loose deliveries while still building a long innings.

The Vadodara knock was therefore both a personal breakthrough and a statement about India’s batting options. Deepti’s record-setting hundred, Harmanpreet’s commanding 126 and their record partnership combined to turn a challenging start into a formidable total. For fans following India Women, the performance offered a compelling reminder that the match can change dramatically when the middle order steps forward at the right moment.