Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma broke the world record to become the highest wicket-taker in women's international cricket on June 28, 2026. Dismissing Australia's Beth Mooney during the ICC T20 World Cup at Lord's, Sharma claimed her 356th career wicket, surpassing the legendary Jhulan Goswami's historic mark of 355.
LONDON — Indian off-spinner Deepti Sharma etched her name into the sporting annals on June 28, 2026, officially setting a historic milestone during the ICC Women's T20 World Cup group stage fixture against Australia. By dismissing Australian opening batter Beth Mooney at the historic Lord’s Cricket Ground, Deepti Sharma became highest wicket-taker in women's int'l cricket, raising her career total across all formats to an unprecedented 356 wickets.
The achievement marks a changing of the guard in the international game. Sharma surpassed the long-standing record held by her compatriot and legendary fast bowler, Jhulan Goswami, who retired with 355 international scalps. While India’s subsequent six-wicket defeat to Australia ultimately ended their 2026 World Cup campaign, Sharma's record-shattering performance stands out as a historic individual masterclass, establishing her as the most prolific bowler in the history of women's international cricket.
The Historic Breakthrough at Lord's
Entering the high-stakes match at Lord's, Sharma was tied with Goswami at 355 wickets, having gone wicketless in previous group encounters against South Africa and Bangladesh. The breakthrough arrived on the first delivery of her second over in the 10th over of the Australian innings.
Sharma delivered a full, tempting ball on the stumps, drawing Mooney into a mistimed slog-sweep. The ball lofted high toward long-on, where fielder Radha Yadav completed a clean catch. The dismissal marked the sixth time in her career that Sharma had dismissed Mooney, but none carried the historical significance of this 356th international scalp.
Statistical tracking verified that Deepti Sharma becomes highest wicket-taker in women's int'l cricket in her 278th international innings across 279 matches, showing an exceptional efficiency rate compared to Goswami, who established her previous record over 284 matches and 291 innings.
Statistical Breakdown Across Cricket Formats
Sharma’s path to the summit highlights her adaptability across all three variations of the international game. Unlike traditional specialists, her off-break variations, control over flight, and tactical execution during powerplays and death-overs have made her a multi-format asset for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is)
The shortest format serves as the foundation of her world record. Sharma stands alone as the leading wicket-taker globally in women's T20Is, boasting 168 wickets from 148 appearances. She initiated her 2026 World Cup campaign with a performance of 5 wickets for 10 runs against arch-rivals Pakistan in Birmingham, which remains the best-ever bowling spell by an Indian woman in T20Is.
One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and Tests
In the 50-over arena, Sharma has compiled 166 wickets across 124 matches, trailing only Goswami's individual Indian ODI record of 255. In the traditional multi-day Test format, her appearances have been rare but effective, yielding 22 wickets from just six Test matches.
The structural distribution of her wickets highlights the modern shift toward short-form cricket, where low economy rates and consistent breakthrough metrics are essential for national team victories.
Global Standings in Women's Cricket History
Following the June 2026 update to the International Cricket Council (ICC) all-time statistics, the elite upper tier of women's international wicket-takers has been rearranged. Sharma leads the global hierarchy, followed closely by iconic contemporary and historic figures:
| Bowler | Country | Total International Wickets |
| Deepti Sharma | India | 356 |
| Jhulan Goswami | India | 355 |
| Ellyse Perry | Australia | 336 |
| Katherine Sciver-Brunt | England | 335 |
| Sophie Ecclestone | England | 333 |
| Shabnim Ismail | South Africa | 323 |
The record ensures that India retains its historic dominance at the top of the bowling charts, transitioning seamlessly from Goswami's era of pace to Sharma's era of spin variations.
Official Sources Section
The verified player data, historical match scorecards, and ranking updates supporting this milestone have been audited and published via official cricket governing authorities:
Quote Section
Reflecting on the achievement, representatives from the national team management expressed the gravity of the all-rounder's career progression.
According to officials from the Indian team support staff:
"Deepti has displayed relentless consistency since her international debut as a teenager in 2014. To eclipse a monumental record held by Jhulan Goswami while playing in the intense environment of a T20 World Cup at Lord's is a testament to her quiet steel, discipline, and match-winning capabilities across formats."
Why It Matters
For cricket fans and sporting analysts, this milestone shifts the conversation regarding the greatest modern all-rounders. Sharma is the first Indian cricketer to secure the double feat of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in T20Is alongside this global crown.
For commercial sponsors, corporate investors, and cricket academies, her historic ascent amplifies the marketability and institutional prestige of women's cricket in South Asia. It establishes a blueprint for emerging young spin bowlers navigating the demands of franchise and international leagues.
Key Facts at a Glance
The World Record: Deepti Sharma becomes highest wicket-taker in women's int'l cricket with 356 total wickets, surpassing Jhulan Goswami’s 355.
The Landmark Match: The record was broken at Lord's on June 28, 2026, during an ICC Women's T20 World Cup clash against Australia.
The Milestone Scalp: Australian opener Beth Mooney was the historic 356th wicket, caught at long-on by Radha Yadav.
Format Supremacy: Sharma is also the world’s leading wicket-taker specifically in the T20I format, holding 168 wickets.
Career Span: The 28-year-old Agra-born all-rounder reached the top ranking in her 279th international appearance since her debut in 2014.
FAQ Section
Q: In which specific match did Deepti Sharma break the all-time world record? A: She broke the record during India's final Group A league match against Australia in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup on June 28, 2026, at Lord's in London.
Q: Whose record did Deepti Sharma surpass to claim the top spot? A: She surpassed legendary Indian fast bowler Jhulan Goswami, who held the previous world record with 355 international wickets before retiring.
Q: What is the exact format-wise breakdown of Deepti Sharma's 356 wickets? A: Her career tally includes 168 wickets in T20Is, 166 wickets in One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 22 wickets in Test matches.
Q: Who are the closest active players threatening Deepti Sharma's new record? A: Australia’s Ellyse Perry is the closest active threat with 336 international wickets, followed closely by England's left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone with 333 wickets.
Source: International Cricket Council (ICC) Official Desk, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) Player Profiles.
