India all-rounder Deepti Sharma added another landmark to her illustrious career on the opening day of the one-off women’s Test against England at Lord’s, becoming the highest wicket-taker in the history of women’s international cricket. The 27-year-old went past legendary fast bowler Jhulan Goswami to move to the top of the all-time list. Deepti now has 356 international wickets, overtaking Jhulan’s tally of 355 to claim the record.Most wickets in Women’s international cricket356 – Deepti Sharma (IND)355 – Jhulan Goswami (IND)338 – Sophie Ecclestone (ENG)336 – Ellyse Pelly (AUS)335 – Katherine Sciver-Brunt (ENG)325 – Shabnim Ismail (SA) The milestone came on a day when Deepti also played a crucial role with the bat, scoring a valuable 57 to help India post 285 in their first innings after the visitors suffered a middle-order collapse. The left-arm spinner now leads an elite list of bowlers that includes England’s Sophie Ecclestone (338 wickets), Australia’s Ellyse Perry (336), England great Katherine Sciver-Brunt (335) and South Africa’s Shabnim Ismail (325). Deepti’s achievement came during an eventful opening day at Lord’s, where India rode on half-centuries from Smriti Mandhana (83), captain Harmanpreet Kaur (58) and Deepti herself before being bowled out. India were in trouble early after losing Shafali Verma and Yastika Bhatia inside the first seven overs, but Mandhana steadied the innings with a fluent knock. She first added 64 runs for the third wicket alongside Jemimah Rodrigues, who made an attacking 35 off 38 balls. The partnership lifted India beyond the 100-run mark as both batters took the attack to England’s bowlers. Mandhana then stitched together another important stand, adding 89 runs with Harmanpreet for the fourth wicket to keep India in control through the middle session. However, England fought back strongly after Mandhana fell for 83 while closing in on a century. Harmanpreet was dismissed just before tea, triggering a collapse that saw India slip from 190 for 3 to 285 all out. Deepti delayed England’s charge with a composed 57 and shared a 45-run partnership with Sneh Rana, but the hosts claimed the final seven wickets for just 85 runs to restrict India. England spinner Sophie Ecclestone also reached a personal milestone during the innings, moving past Katherine Sciver-Brunt to become England’s leading wicket-taker in women’s international cricket with 338 wickets after finishing with figures of 3 for 68. At stumps, England were 21 for 1 in reply. Kranti Goud removed Tammy Beaumont for two, while Maya Bouchier (17 not out) and Heather Knight (1 not out) guided the hosts to the close, trailing India by 264 runs.
