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Deepti Sharma’s Unexpected Dip in Form Raises India’s T20 World Cup Concerns

Deepti Sharma, a name synonymous with match-winning performances, entered India’s T20I series against South Africa fresh from the prestigious recognition of being named Wisden’s leading female player of 2025. This accolade was well-deserved, following a sensational 2025 season where she emerged as the leading wicket-taker at the ODI World Cup, highlighted by her remarkable 5 for 39 against South Africa in the final. Not just with the ball, Deepti also showcased her all-round prowess, scoring a crucial run-a-ball 58 in that same final, exceeding India’s eventual victory margin by six runs. Her consistency extended to T20Is, where she was India’s second-highest wicket-taker, cementing her status as arguably the best all-rounder of the year. However, the narrative has taken an unexpected turn in 2026, with Deepti experiencing a noticeable dip in form, casting a shadow over India’s T20 World Cup preparations.

A Champion’s Challenge: Deepti’s Current Struggles

The statistics from 2026 paint a concerning picture. In five T20Is, Deepti has batted four times, managing a paltry three runs. Her wicket-taking column shows only a single scalp. The ongoing series against South Africa has only amplified these worries. In the first T20I, she was India’s least economical bowler, conceding 24 runs from just 13 balls. While there was a slight improvement in the second match, where her three overs cost 23 runs, she remained wicket-less. With the T20 World Cup less than two months away, the question of whether there is genuine reason for concern regarding her form is becoming increasingly pertinent.

India’s bowling coach, Aavishkar Salvi, however, remains steadfast in his support for the star all-rounder. Speaking from the Wanderers, where the third and fourth matches of the series are slated, Salvi emphasized, “Deepti is a champion player. We all know that. One or two games or three games doesn’t justify the kind of talent she has, the kind of performance she has done over the years. We all know that she has been a champion player. Champion bowler, champion batter, champion all-rounder throughout her career.”

Salvi acknowledged her current struggles but highlighted her dedication to overcoming them. “This is the stage where she is probably not at her best as of now. But going back to the drawing board, she is working hard in the camp. She is working hard on her fitness. She is also working hard on her bowling in the nets. She is always there taking up those challenges where she is also bowling against the batter. She is also doing target bowling practice. And she is discussing all her game plans, what she wants to use during the games. It’s only a matter of a few instances where probably she just strikes and she comes back shining,” he asserted, reinforcing the belief in Deepti’s resilience and ability to bounce back.

Broader Bowling Woes and Team Combinations

Deepti’s form, however, is not India’s only cause for concern. The team’s overall bowling performance has been underwhelming, particularly evident in their two losses to South Africa in Durban, by margins of six and four wickets respectively. While South Africa had to work hard to chase down 158 in the first game, reaching the target only in the final over, they demonstrated clinical efficiency in the second, comfortably chasing 148 with 17 balls to spare. A stark statistic highlights India’s predicament: South Africa has claimed 17 Indian wickets across the two matches, while India has managed to take only six. This significant disparity underscores a deeper issue within the Indian bowling attack.

With the series shifting to the Highveld, traditionally known for pitches offering more pace and bounce, the focus on India’s seamers is intensifying. India attempted tactical changes in the second game, swapping out Renuka Singh and Kashvee Gautam – who collectively conceded 54 runs in six overs in match one – for Kranti Gaud and Anuksha Sharma. Unfortunately, these changes did not yield any immediate wicket-taking success. Salvi, however, views these adjustments as part of a larger process of identifying the optimal bowling attack for the upcoming T20 World Cup.

“There are a lot of combinations being tried out in terms of who will bowl in the powerplay and what are our options. We are just creating an option bank for all of us,” Salvi explained. He added, “And in that way, we are missing out on picking up those early wickets. If you see the larger picture, we are actually giving opportunities to all the bowlers to operate into that segment so that we don’t rely only on a few bowlers coming into the main event. That’s how we are looking at it.” This strategic approach, while understandable in the long run, appears to be impacting immediate results.

The Potential of Kashvee Gautam and Pitch Anomalies

Among the emerging talents, Kashvee Gautam holds significant promise, and eyes will be on her as she navigates the international stage. Despite a challenging debut in Durban, the conditions in Johannesburg are anticipated to suit her more. Salvi expressed confidence in Gautam’s potential: “She is an an exciting talent. She is a youngster. She has done really well in the kind of opportunities she has got before coming into the series. The game in Durban that she got, I thought the wicket suited her but I think she didn’t perform the way she would have wanted.” He further noted her commitment to improvement, stating, “She is working into the nets. She is having discussions with the coaches, with the senior players as well. It’s still early days for her into the international circuit. And obviously, as a youngster, she is trying to grab as much as she can.”

Adding another layer of complexity, Salvi and the team are also contending with unusually late-season conditions in South Africa. The surfaces are playing out-of-character, with the Wanderers potentially being slower than usual, which could make run-scoring sluggish. This factor will undoubtedly worry India, especially after their batting collapses in Durban. In the first match, they were in a strong position at 119 for 2 in the 15th over but dramatically lost five wickets for just 37 runs. Similarly, in the second game, they were 99 for 2 in the 13th over before collapsing to lose 8 wickets for 48 runs. Salvi, however, remains optimistic about the middle order’s ability to rectify these issues.

“After the two games we sat together and analysed what went wrong. We started off pretty well. You see both the games in 12 overs or so we were at 100 but after that we couldn’t finish the way we wanted them to. But that always happens in cricket. You plan something, sometimes it gets executed, sometimes it doesn’t get executed. The awareness is there. The understanding is there. And I am sure the girls are going to bounce back stronger,” Salvi concluded, emphasizing the team’s self-awareness and determination.

As South Africa leads the series 2-nil, India faces a must-win situation in Wednesday’s match to keep their hopes alive and prevent an early series defeat. The upcoming games will be crucial not just for the series outcome, but also for India to iron out their bowling and batting kinks before the highly anticipated T20 World Cup.