Deepti Sharma breaks Richa Ghosh's record, becomes first Indian woman to score ODI hundred at...

All-rounder Deepti Sharma etched her name into the record books on Sunday with a commanding unbeaten 106 off 86 balls in the second women’s ODI against Zimbabwe at the BCA Stadium in Vadodara. Walking to the crease in the middle overs, Deepti produced a counter-attacking batting masterclass and became the first Indian woman to score a One-Day International (ODI) century batting at No. 6 or lower.  

The 26-year-old Deepti surpassed Richa Ghosh's previous best of 94 against South Africa in Visakhapatnam during the 2025 ODI World Cup to completely alter the momentum of the innings.

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India's Recovery After Early Collapse

India recovered from an early collapse to post a formidable 328/6, with Deepti’s knock and captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s 126 off 121 balls forming the backbone of the innings.

The pair of Deepti and Harmanpreet shared a 153-run stand (off 137 balls) for the fifth wicket - India's highest partnership for the fifth wicket or lower in women’s ODIs, bettering the 122-run association between Sneh Rana and Pooja Vastrakar against Pakistan at the 2022 World Cup.

Recovery After Early Setbacks

India slipped to 19/2 early on, with Smriti Mandhana dismissed for a duck. After further wickets, Deepti walked in at 148/4 in the 24th over. She and Harmanpreet steadied the ship before accelerating.

Harmanpreet, dropped three times, reached her eighth ODI hundred - moving past Mithali Raj’s tally of seven to become India’s second-highest century-maker in the format behind Smriti Mandhana. She was eventually dismissed at 300.⁠

Deepti finished the job. She began the 49th over on 97 and brought up her hundred two balls later with a boundary off Tendai Makusha, remaining unbeaten on 106 (15 fours). Her century came off just 83 balls, the fifth quickest by an Indian woman in ODIs.

Quickest ODI 100s for IND-W (by balls)

50 - Smriti Mandhana vs AUS, Delhi 2025
70 - Smriti Mandhana vs IRE, Rajkot, 2025
77 - Smriti Mandhana vs AUS, Mullanpur, 2025
82 - Harmanpreet Kaur vs ENG, Chester-le-Street, 2025
83 - Deepti Sharma vs ZIM, Vadodara, 2026*

Significance Of Milestone

For a team that has historically relied heavily on its top order, Deepti’s hundred from No. 6 underscores growing middle-order depth.

It was her second ODI century overall - her first came back in 2017 with an explosive 188 against Ireland as part of a then-world-record 320-run opening stand with Punam Raut.

As a reliable left-handed batter and right-arm off-spinner, she has long been one of India's most dependable all-rounders.