Deepti Sharma: Wanted the win to make sure UP Warriorz stays in WPL 2023 top-three

Over the years, Deepti Sharma has earned herself the finisher’s tag for her skills to show issues round in difficult conditions. And on Saturday, as UP Warriorz wanted 22 off 24 deliveries at hand Mumbai Indians its first defeat within the Women’s Premier League, Deepti was on the crease together with England’s Sophie Ecclestone.

With Mumbai Indians bowlers attempting exhausting for the breakthrough, Deepti and Ecclestone knew that it wouldn’t be a straightforward process. But they banked on their expertise and guided the group house with out additional setbacks. While Deepti held fort, Ecclestone sealed it with a six to maintain UP Warriorz within the hunt for a playoff berth.

“I knew that Sophie was with me and that we could hit boundaries. We were confident that we would take it to the end and finish the game. The pitch was slightly better than in the first innings as it was skidding a little bit more. The early few overs were difficult,” Deepti stated after the sport.

“We executed our plans well with the bat. The bowling unit did very nicely and (Grace) Harris also played a crucial role to get us back in the game,” she stated.

After claiming a few wickets, Deepti’s unbeaten 13 was of immense significance to the group’s victory and she or he admitted that forward of the sport, the concept was to take a look at the positives. “We were just talking about how to concentrate on the positives and to play as a unit. I wanted to take the team past the finish line to ensure that we remain in the top-three,” Deepti, who was adjudged the participant of the match, stated.

After proscribing Mumbai Indians to 127, Deepti didn’t think about that she would get a chance to bat. “The target was less, so I thought that our top-order would finish it off. So, I did not think too much about my batting,” she stated.

“But even as wickets fell, we kept backing each other and there was no pressure in the dressing room. (Tahlia) McGrath and Harris were around, so we were taking among ourselves that we should be ready for whatever opportunity comes out way…”

The win not solely boosted the group’s confidence and put it within the third spot on the factors desk, but in addition reignited its hopes of reaching the playoffs. 

“There’s no pressure. We are taking one match at a time and we are focusing on our team rather than thinking of others. We need to play as a team and back each other and that’s reflecting in our performances,” Deepti stated.

The Warriorz will likely be up in opposition to Gujarat Giants in a must-win match on Monday.