How a Brother’s Sacrifice Helped Agra’s Deepti Sharma Become Women’s T20I’s Top Wicket-Taker

When Deepti Sharma was growing up in Agra, cricket was the dream she kept running towards.

She would often accompany her elder brother, Sumit Sharma, to his practice sessions. At first, she watched from the sidelines. Then, one day, she picked up the ball and threw it back with such force and accuracy that coaches took notice.

That throw became the beginning of a journey that would one day take her to the Indian team.

From the streets of Agra to the cricket ground

Growing up in a modest household, Deepti found her way to the game through her brother’s practice sessions.

What began as a child’s curiosity slowly turned into discipline. The cricket ground became her second home, and hours of practice began shaping a dream that once felt distant: representing India on the world stage.

Yet, like many girls pursuing sports, Deepti also faced questions and scepticism. Some relatives wondered why a girl would choose cricket at all.

But one person never doubted her potential.

The brother who chose his sister’s dream

Sumit had aspirations of playing for India himself. However, when he recognised the extraordinary promise in his younger sister, he made a remarkable choice.

He stepped away from his own ambitions and later left a career after completing his MBA, dedicating himself to helping Deepti succeed. Whether it meant travelling long distances on a moped for training sessions or standing by her through every challenge, he became her strongest supporter.

While Deepti worked tirelessly on the field, her brother quietly ensured she had the chance to keep moving forward.

Together, they chased a dream that once seemed distant, seeing Deepti in the Indian jersey.

A tribute written in wickets

That dream became reality when Deepti made her debut for India in 2014.

Over the years, she evolved into one of the finest all-rounders in world cricket, earning the prestigious Arjuna Award and delivering match-winning performances for the country. 

Recently, her remarkable five-wicket haul against Pakistan further highlighted her brilliance on the field.

Today, Deepti Sharma stands as the highest wicket-taker in Women’s T20 International cricket — a milestone that reflects not just talent and hard work, but also years of faith, sacrifice, and unwavering support.

The girl who was once asked, ‘Ladki hoke cricket khelegi? (A girl playing cricket?)’ has gone from the streets of Agra to the pinnacle of world cricket. And in every wicket she takes, there is also a tribute to a brother who believed in her dream enough to make it his own.

Because sometimes, behind every record-breaking athlete is someone who chose to believe when the world did not.

Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: thebetterindia.com