Deepti Sharma Explained: India Women's Off-Spin Bowling Allrounder
How an off-spin bowling allrounder from Agra became one of India Women's most important cricketers — and how her 2022 non-striker run-out at Lord's sparked a global debate about cricket's laws.
Deepti Sharma (born 24 August 1997 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India) is an off-spin bowling allrounder who plays for India Women across all three formats. She bowls right-arm off-break and is a useful right-handed lower-middle-order batter. Her cricket ability is considerable — she is one of India Women's most important bowling options — but she became globally famous for a dismissal that generated intense debate about cricket's laws.
The Non-Striker Run-Out at Lord's (2022)
In September 2022, during an England Women vs India Women ODI at Lord's Cricket Ground, Deepti Sharma ran out England's Charlie Dean at the non-striker's end — dismissing her before completing the delivery stride, while Dean had been backing up (moving towards the bowling end before the ball was bowled). The dismissal was entirely legal under the Laws of Cricket (Law 41.16), but generated intense debate because England cricket tradition had long considered it 'not in the spirit of cricket' even when legally permitted.
The MCC (which owns the Laws of Cricket) subsequently moved this type of dismissal from the 'unfair play' section of the Laws to the 'run out' section — formally acknowledging it as a legitimate method of dismissal with no stigma attached. The ICC also clarified guidance. The dismissal is now universally referred to as a 'run out (non-striker)' rather than 'Mankad' — reflecting its normalization as part of the laws rather than a grey-area tactic.
Off-Spin Bowling
Deepti Sharma's primary skill is off-spin bowling — right-arm finger-spin that turns from off to leg for a right-handed batter. Off-spin is a traditional bowling category that requires accuracy, flight variation, and the ability to deceive batters through both turn and pace variation. In women's cricket, where batting is generally slower and spinners get more time, Deepti's off-spin is a consistent wicket-taking option throughout the middle overs.
Women's Premier League
Deepti Sharma plays for the UP Warriorz in the Women's Premier League — the BCCI's five-team women's franchise competition launched in 2023. The WPL gives her professional franchise cricket in India's biggest competition, alongside international players from around the world. Her spinning allrounder skills are particularly valuable in T20 franchise cricket, where taking wickets in the middle overs while contributing with the bat lower down provides flexible team balance.
Frequently asked questions
What made Deepti Sharma internationally famous in 2022?
She ran out England's Charlie Dean at the non-striker's end during an ODI at Lord's — a legal dismissal that sparked a global debate. The MCC subsequently reclassified this type of dismissal as a standard 'run out (non-striker)' rather than listing it under 'unfair play.'
What bowling style does Deepti Sharma use?
She bowls right-arm off-break — finger-spin that turns from the off side to leg side for a right-handed batter. She is also a useful lower-middle-order right-handed batter.
Where is Deepti Sharma from?
She was born on 24 August 1997 in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India.