ANI |
Updated: 04 Sep 2026 21:21 IST
Dubai [UAE]September 4 (ANI): Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma has backed her team’s balanced lineup ahead of the high-profile Women’s Asia Cup 2026 match against Pakistan and also praised the emergence of young talent in the team, the ICC website said.
Both teams will play at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Saturday.
Ahead of the decider, Deepti Sharma said that the Indian team is performing well and looks balanced in both batting and bowling.
“The whole team is playing well. If you look at the bowling or the batting part, based on today’s performance, I think both aspects are balanced,” she said as quoted by the ICC website.
India have made an impressive start to the 2026 Asian Cup campaign, with several key players delivering outstanding performances. The 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup champions remain unbeaten after two matches against Thailand and Hong Kong, China, securing convincing victories by 94 and 137 runs respectively to move to the top of Group A. Their victory over Hong Kong, China also saw Smriti Mandhana rewrite several records in women’s cricket.
On the other hand, Pakistan recorded a 35-run win over Thailand in their only Asian Cup match so far. Muniba Ali led the scoring with 54 off 52 balls, while Sadia Iqbal (3/11) and Tooba Hasan (2/17) were the standouts with the ball.
Deepti also praised the strength of Pakistan’s bowling attack, particularly spinners Nashra Sundhu and Sadia Iqbal, who are ranked seventh and ninth respectively in the ICC Women’s T20I bowling rankings.
“Our team is good and their (Pakistan) bowlers are also good. But we also know this, but we focus on our strengths. We want to play good cricket and that is what we are focused on,” she said.
Regarding the head-to-head matches between India and Pakistan, Deepti acknowledged India’s historical advantage but stressed the importance of focusing on the process.
“Wherever we beat them, be it the Asian Cup or whatever matches we play, we are always one step ahead of them. It all comes down to how well we can play cricket as a team against them. This is what we would like,” she said.
India have a dominant head-to-head record over Pakistan with a score of 14-3 in the Women’s T20I.
Deepti also highlighted the emergence of young talent in the Indian team, particularly women’s T20I top bowler Shri Charani.
“Charani is a very good talent. She is number one in the rankings. She did very well last year. And the way she turns the ball is incredible. It is not easy to play as a batter,” the ICC said.
The Indian spinner made her India debut against England in April 2025 and has continued to improve over the past year. She has taken 73 wickets in 48 matches and has emerged as one of India’s key players, including a strong performance in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup earlier this year.
Deepti also praised 24-year-old Prema Rawat for making the most of her limited opportunities and being ready to step up whenever required. She added that she supports Rawat by sharing her experience both on the field and in goal.
“It’s the same with Prema (Ravat). She hasn’t played that many matches, but whenever she gets a chance to bowl, she is always ready to step up. She is always ready to give the team a breakthrough. I help her as much as I can, on the ground or in the wickets. I share my experience with her whenever I can,” she said.
Rawat made her India debut against South Africa in the Women’s T20 World Cup after impressing in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). She played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the tournament’s title-winning 2026 campaign and has taken two wickets in three matches for India so far. (ANI)