India’s star all-rounder Deepti Sharma created history on Friday by becoming the first Indian cricketer, across both men’s and women’s teams, to take 150 wickets in T20 internationals. She reached the milestone after dismissing Sri Lanka’s Kavisha Dilhari during the third T20I of the five-match series in Thiruvananthapuram. This achievement has cemented her status as one of the most complete white-ball cricketers the sport has seen.As Deepti Sharma continues to add bright new feathers to her illustrious career, there is one person whom the world hardly knows and who has significantly contributed to her success: her brother, Sumit.
How Sumit shaped Deepti Sharma’s cricket career
Deepti Sharma has always had cricketing dreams, and the one person who stood by her side throughout the journey is her brother Sumit. From leaving his job for Deepti’s career to being by her side through the ups and downs, Sumit has been the kind of sibling one can only wish for. He has played a pivotal role in shaping her cricket career. This year, as Deepti Sharma guided India to Women’s World Cup 2025 glory, Sumit opened up about how she developed an interest in cricket.She grew up watching her brother play cricket. “I was the first one to play cricket in our home. We don’t have any cricketing family background. My father was in a government job. My mother was a school principal; my brothers studied and became engineers. Whenever I used to go to play cricket in the colony, even after my mother’s resistance or when she locked the doors, Deepti somehow found a way to get out and watch my matches. When I returned in the evening, Deepti used to know all the details of my match. She’d say you could have won it had that catch not been dropped and things like that. She confessed that she sat by the side and watched me,” Sumit told The Indian Express.
A brother’s faith
Sumit stood by his sister’s dreams, even if that meant sacrificing his own career. Reflecting on leaving his job for her cricket career, Sumit said, “When I decided to quit my job, I didn’t know when Deepti would play for India, how many years she would play, or if she would ever play in the World Cup. I only knew one thing: that I had to do everything in my power so that she could play for India one day.”The siblings believed that if they gave their best, they could reach where they wanted to be. “After that, God took us beyond our dreams. Jab aap poori shiddhat se, poori mann se kisi kaam karte hain (when you do something with all your heart and mind), destiny will be with you.”Today, as Deepti Sharma continues to create milestones, it feels like his own success to her brother Sumit. “When Deepti plays today, I play for India with her,” Sumit said. She has also acknowledged her brother’s role in her career and success. Speaking to the ICC earlier, she said, “I started playing cricket because of my brother. He made a lot of sacrifices for me; he left his job so that I could pursue my dream. On such a stage, in front of family, to perform well and lift the trophy feels truly special.”Today, as Deepti Sharma conquered yet another milestone, her brother Sumit continues to be the wind beneath her wings—always by her side, encouraging her every dream and helping her achieve it.