New Delhi: Indian women’s team all-rounder Deepti Sharma has been signed by London Spirit for the upcoming season of Women’s Hundred 2024. This will mark the return of the 26-year-old to the competition after three years for the London-based outfit.
Deepti was picked for the London Spirit in the inaugural season of the Women’s Hundred in 2021. She finished that year as their leading wicket-taker with 10 scalps in eight games at an economy of 5.26 while adding 77 runs with the bat at a strike rate of 113.23.
In the following season in 2022, Deepti moved to Birmingham Phoenix but she warmed the bench for the entire season. The Indian all-rounder will replace Australian power-hitting all-rounder Grace Harris in the London Spirit women’s squad. The development comes after Cricket Australia confirmed that Harris suffered a calf strain.
“Harris suffered an aggravation of a calf injury sustained in her preparation for The Hundred and the upcoming season. She is now working through a graduated rehabilitation and (a) return-to-play program,” read the statement from the Australian cricket board.
However, Deepti won’t be available for the initial phase of the Women’s Hundred because of her national commitments with the Indian women’s team. She will participate in the Women’s Asia Cup (T20I format) scheduled from July 19 to 28.
This means that the Indian player will miss a couple of fixtures for London Spirit against Southern Brave (July 24) and Birmingham Phoenix (July 27). In the absence of Deepti Sharma, Australian all-rounder Erin Burns will be available for the London Spirit in these two games.
Who are the other Indian players participating in Women’s Hundred 2024?
Indian women’s team opening batter and vice-captain, Smriti Mandhana, who recently turned 28, will continue to feature for the Southern Brave in her fourth straight season. With 616 runs from 24 matches at a strike rate of 139.36, the southpaw is the second most run-getter for Southern Brave in the tournament, and overall fourth on the list.
Young Indian wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh, who made her tournament debut last season for London Spirit, will move to Birmingham Phoenix this season. While Richa will miss the first two fixtures for Birmingham against Oval Invincibles (July 23) and London Spirit (July 27), Smriti will only miss the opening fixture of Southern Brave versus London Spirit on July 24.
Indian women’s team all-rounder Deepti Sharma has been signed by London Spirit for the upcoming season of Women’s Hundred 2024. This will mark the return of the 26-year-old to the competition after three years for the London-based outfit. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
