Mumbai: Deepti Sharma, India’s star all-rounder, has been in impressive form both with the ball and on the field through The Hundred 2026, and will be hoping to keep that momentum going as Sunrisers Leeds Women look to defend their title. In a chat with JioStar, Deepti spoke about her time with Sunrisers Leeds, how The Hundred is shaping her preparation for the upcoming Women’s Asia Cup, and her ongoing drive to contribute to her team in every way possible.
On being part of Sunrisers Leeds:
Deepti admitted she was thrilled when she found out she’d been picked for Sunrisers Leeds — orange happens to be her favourite colour, so there’s something about the team that already feels right to her. She spoke fondly of playing on home turf in Leeds, describing the ground as packed with Sunrisers fans, with orange visible everywhere she looks. She feels the fans genuinely enjoy watching the team perform well at home, and said that as a group, the players make it a point to appreciate one another’s contributions, whether that’s a strong innings or a disciplined bowling spell. For her, soaking in those shared moments and learning from them is what will help the team grow stronger going forward.
On how The Hundred is aiding her development as a player:
With the Women’s Champions Trophy still some months away in February 2027, Deepti said her attention right now is fully on The Hundred, especially with the Women’s Asia Cup starting on August 28 — a tournament she considers crucial for the Indian side. She explained that playing in The Hundred has given her a valuable chance to sharpen her game across all three disciplines: batting, bowling, and fielding. Her focus, she said, is on making the most of this tournament so that she walks into the Asia Cup fully prepared. She’s giving everything she has for Sunrisers Leeds, believing that effort will not only help her grow individually but also pay off for the team in the long run.
On the pride of representing India:
Deepti spoke emotionally about what it means to wear the Indian jersey, describing the sense of pride it brings — not just for herself, but for her family and her country as a whole. For her, it’s never just a jersey; it represents years of hard work and sacrifice behind the scenes. She said there’s a particular kind of joy that comes with delivering for the nation when expectations are high, and while that comes with real responsibility, it’s one the entire team embraces willingly. Knowing that everyone wants to see the team succeed and bring happiness to their supporters, she said, is what continues to push them to give their best every single time they take the field.
On staying ready for challenges and thriving under pressure:
Deepti made it clear that every match matters to her, not just the marquee tournaments like the Women’s Champions Trophy. She said she tries to give more than 100 percent in every single game she plays, big or small, because the more she can contribute, the better it is for the team. She admitted she genuinely enjoys taking on challenges, and that whenever tough situations arise, she feels ready to face them head-on. If anything, she said, pressure moments motivate her even more, pushing her to raise her performance when it matters most.
