After 3,450 Days, Deepti Sharma Ends India’s Long Wait for Another Century

Deepti Sharma Scripts History With Unbeaten 106 After 3,450-Day Wait for ODI Century

India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma ended a wait of more than nine years for her second ODI century, scoring an unbeaten 106 against Zimbabwe in the second ODI in Vadodara on Sunday, October 25. The landmark innings came 3,450 days after her first ODI hundred, when she smashed a remarkable 188 against Ireland in Potchefstroom, South Africa, on May 15, 2017.

The lengthy gap between Deepti’s two centuries is the second-longest in women’s ODI cricket. South African batter Marizanne Kapp holds the record, with 3,867 days separating her first ODI hundred in 2013 from her second in 2023.

In women’s international cricket across formats, Deepti’s wait ranks as the second-longest between centuries. England’s Molly Hide holds the record after a gap of 5,117 days between her first and second Test hundreds in 1935 and 1949.

FROM TEENAGE SENSATION TO RECORD-BREAKING CENTURION

Deepti announced her arrival on the international stage in spectacular fashion at the age of 19. Opening alongside Punam Raut, she struck 188 runs from 160 balls against Ireland, hitting 27 fours and two sixes. Their extraordinary 320-run opening partnership helped India post 358 runs and register a dominant 249-run victory.

Her latest century, however, came in a different role. Batting in the lower middle order, Deepti stepped up after India lost early wickets and joined Harmanpreet Kaur in rebuilding the innings. The pair combined for a crucial 153-run partnership, laying the foundation for a formidable total.

DEEPTI AND HARMANPREET POWER INDIA

Deepti reached her half-century in just 37 deliveries, making effective use of the sweep shot against Zimbabwe’s spin attack. She continued to score freely through the off side and used her footwork to keep the bowlers under pressure.

She completed her century in 83 balls during the final over, sweeping Tendai Makusha to the boundary for four. Deepti celebrated the milestone as her teammates acknowledged an innings that combined patience with aggressive stroke play.

She eventually finished on 106 not out from 86 deliveries, with 15 boundaries to her name.

The innings also established a new benchmark for Indian women’s ODI cricket. Deepti became the first Indian woman to register an ODI century while batting at No. 6 or lower, surpassing Richa Ghosh’s previous record of 94.

Supported by Deepti’s unbeaten hundred and Harmanpreet’s century, India reached 328 for six after opting to bat first, putting themselves in a commanding position in the second ODI.