Deepti Sharma’s 22 wickets, including a five-wicket haul in the final against South Africa, played a crucial role in India’s triumphant ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 campaign at home. Not just with the ball, the all-rounder’s three half-centuries during crunch situations bailed the Harmanpreet Kaur’s side out to en route to their successful campaign.

In the process, the experienced all-rounder, who was adjudged the Player of the Tournament, Sharma became the first player in the history of an ICC Women’s World Cup to accumulate a double of 200 runs and 20 wickets in a single edition. She amassed 215 runs in total.

Head coach of the Indian women’s team, Amol Muzumdar, speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit (HTLS) 2025, revealed Sharma is refereed to as ‘Stokesy’ in the dressing room, drawing parallels with the English all-rounder Ben Stokes.

“Stokes, because there are a lot of similarities, isn’t it? I mean, I worked a little bit with Ben Stokes with the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. There are a few similarities with Deepti. She bats left-handed, she bowls right-handed, Stokes does that. She bats at number 6; Stokes does that. Most hard-working cricketer in the team,” Muzumdar said in response to a question from veteran sports journalist and HT columnist, Sharda Ugra.

Muzumdar also compared Deepti’s approach towards a game as with Stokes’. “Never misses a match, Stokes doesn’t miss a match. And above all, I think her throw resembles Ben Stokes’. Come and catch her throw once,” added Muzumdar, who had worked with the former England white-ball captain at Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League.

Deepti Sharma recalls how cricket started for her

During the same conversation, Deepti recalled how a throw changed her life. Aged nine, the now 28-year-old went to watch her brother play a match. While sitting on a chair, a ball came towards her. Deepti took the ball and casually threw it in the middle which hit a single stumps directly.

Impressed by her throwing skills, people around urged her brother to enroll Deepti to a cricket coaching academy. Asked about the power that she generates, Deepti was quick to point out that it’s natural.

“I think I can say that it is natural. I mean, when the journey started with this, I can say it is natural. Plus, I also work on my strength. So, I think it has also developed a lot,” Deepti added.