Former India off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has hailed Deepti Sharma as the best all-rounder in the world. The 39-year-old apologised to his former teammate Ravindra Jadeja and other all-rounders across the globe, praising the 28-year-old for her exploits with both bat and ball.
Sharma made 58 runs with the bat to help India reach 298/7 in their 50 overs in the final against South Africa, but created an even bigger impact with the ball, claiming figures of 5/39 to play a pivotal role in the win in the summit clash.
“Actually, the most talked-about name in this World Cup is Deepti Sharma. I need to tell my friend Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja), sorry, all the all-rounders. World’s best all-rounder in ODIs. She averages 35-36 with the bat, 26 with the ball.”
“She can bowl a yorker where there is a need. She can bowl off-spin when there is a need. And crucial runs again. Yesterday, when Harmanpreet Kaur was out, there was a stable hand. Deepti Sharma, player of the tournament,” Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.
The 28-year-old had an outstanding tournament, both with bat and ball. She made 215 runs in nine matches at an average of 30. But her bigger contribution came with the ball, where she finished as the highest wicket-taker with 22 scalps at an average of 20.41.
Sharma, who was one of the few members part of the side that finished runners-up in 2017, was adjudged the Player of the tournament for her all-round exploits.
“I always enjoy whatever department I’m in. Whatever situation I’m in, because I like challenges. Today, I got the same thing that I had a ball in my hand and bat in hand. I had to play according to that situation. And I enjoyed a lot. And what better moment than this to go on stage and perform as an all-rounder for your team. It can’t be more amazing than this,” she said in the post-match presentation on Sunday.
