In a thrilling finale at the iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground, Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma etched her name in history. Her clutch performance led London Spirit to their maiden Women’s Hundred title, defeating Welsh Fire by four wickets.
Deepti Sharma’s calm under pressure
With just four runs needed off the last three balls, the tension was palpable. The possibility of a Super Five loomed large. Deepti Sharma, showing immense composure, stepped up when it mattered most. Facing Hayley Matthews, she launched a powerful shot down the ground for a match-winning six. Her unbeaten 16 off 16 balls propelled London Spirit to victory, sealing their historic title.
London Spirit’s chase of 116 was far from straightforward. Fiery pace bowler Shabnim Ismail had wreaked havoc, claiming three crucial wickets. Ismail’s victims included key players like Meg Lanning, Heather Knight, and Danielle Gibson. Welsh Fire seemed in control. However, despite Ismail’s heroics, Deepti Sharma remained composed under pressure. Her final blow sent the Spirit dugout into an emotional rollercoaster.
Interestingly, Deepti’s partner at the other end was none other than Charlie Dean, the England player she had famously run out at the non-striker’s end nearly two years ago. That moment stirred significant controversy in the cricketing world. However, when Deepti hit the match-winning six, both players embraced in celebration, moving past the past.
With 4️⃣ runs needed and 3️⃣ balls left, Deepti Sharma hits a 6️⃣ to WIN it! 😳#TheHundred https://t.co/u57MSy7ga0 pic.twitter.com/i46RTvWFG1
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 18, 2024
The London Spirit dugout erupted in joy. Their reaction has since gone viral on social media, capturing the excitement of this historic moment. Skipper Heather Knight admitted the team was on edge as Deepti struggled initially. But her final flourish sealed their maiden title.
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