The Asian Games 2023 is just over a month away, and star all-rounder Deepti Sharma is leaving no stone unturned in her preparations. Having missed out on a deal at The Hundred, Deepti has instead joined the UP Warriorz camp in Bengaluru. The Indian Women’s Cricket Team are major medal contenders, and Deepti’s performances with both bat and ball will be key to her side’s fortunes.
In an exclusive chat with Insidesport, Deepti talked about her preparations for the Asian Games and her training methods to develop her stroke making. The 25-year-old who started out as a top-order bat, is now seen as one of the finishers in the team. Naturally, Deepti has adapted to the change and is adding more shots to her repertoire.
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“I am having long batting session in the nets. I am specifically working on lofted shots and reverse sweeps to develop my batting. As a batter, you should have more shots in the book. ‘I can’t play this shot’ that can never be the case”, Deepti said.
1-9, any batting number is fine
Deepti Sharma has played in almost every batting position in ODIs. While she gained fame as an opener, especially after her 188 against Ireland in 2017, she is playing more of a finisher’s role in the current Indian team. However, Deepti has no complaints as long as she is contributing to her team’s victory. While players tend to seek comfort in stability, the UP-born tweaker is happy to take on new challenges.
“It is about the mindset. I like taking challenges. Whether it is batting or bowling. Whenever I get a chance to bat or bowl, my goal has always been to contribute as much as possible to my team. So, batting position doesn’t matter to me”, Deepti said.
While she embraces challenge and change, Deepti admits that not much has changed in her training methods. The 25-year-old steps into every session with the same goal: to better herself. In fact, Deepti has increased her batting time in the nets by playing about 100–150 more deliveries in the nets. She is also undertaking match simulations to get accustomed to pressure situations in games.
A senior statesman at UP Warriorz, Sharma is happy to have the band back together for the first time after the WPL. While the international stars have been away, the training camp has focused on the skill work and fitness of the players.
“It is a good reunion to have after the WPL. The focus remains on skill work, but we have a lot of fun on the ground as well. The franchise has been wonderful. They provide support to each and every player. The biggest thing is that they treat each and every player with the same respect. It now our responsibility as players to do well and make sure we give better than we gave last season and do well for the team”, the all-rounder added.
Hailing from Agra, Deepti was picked up for a whopping Rs 2.6 crore by her home franchise earlier this year. At UP Warriorz, Sharma has enjoyed the responsibility and wants the team to do better than the inaugural season. Warriorz finished 3rd in the 5-team league and was knocked out by eventual champions Mumbai Indians.
Before the WPL, Deepti plied her trade in The Hundred and the WBBL. While she believes there is no difference in quality, the home support makes the WPL even more special.
“They all have been the same, the format has been the same but it is the support that makes WPL special. The support we receive here from fans, overseas players don’t get as much at their home”, Deepti concluded.
The all-rounder will hope for similar support when the Indian Women’s Cricket team jets off to China for the Asian Games 2023. India Women’s Cricket Team will begin their campaign on September 22 directly in the quarterfinals stage.
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