Former India opener Aakash Chopra has dropped a massive prediction for WPL 2026: Smriti Mandhana to win the Orange Cap and Delhi Capitals to lift the trophy. But with fierce rivals like Shafali Verma in the mix, is this prophecy or wishful thinking?
Deepti Sharma has etched her name in cricket history by becoming the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20 Internationals—a landmark achievement that cements her legacy as an all-time great.
India completed a flawless 5-0 T20I series whitewash against Sri Lanka, powered by Harmanpreet Kaur’s 68 and Arundhati Reddy’s explosive finish—while Deepti Sharma became the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20Is.
Deepti Sharma has etched her name in cricket history by becoming the highest wicket-taker in women’s T20 Internationals with 152 scalps—and the first Indian across genders to reach 150 T20I wickets.
In a surprising but strategic move, Smriti Mandhana has been left out of India’s playing XI for the 5th T20I against Sri Lanka in Thiruvananthapuram—despite India already clinching the series 4–0. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur confirmed that both Mandhana and pace spearhead Renuka Singh Thakur have been rested to manage workload and blood new talent. In their place, 17-year-old opener G Kamalini makes her international debut, while all-rounder Sneh Rana returns to the side. With Sri Lanka winning the toss and choosing to bowl, all eyes are on how these fresh faces perform in a dead rubber with long-term implications.
Shafali Verma has climbed to No. 6 in the latest ICC Women’s T20I rankings thanks to three unbeaten fifties against Sri Lanka. Deepti Sharma remains No. 1 bowler as India’s squad depth shines ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup.