India all-rounder Deepti Sharma is ready to step into the shoes of Mithali Raj as the skipper of team Velocity, saying she is ready for whatever opportunities she gets in the forthcoming Women’s T20 Challenge.
The 24-year-old Deepti, who is not new to the captaincy as she leads Bengal in domestics, took over the leadership role from Mithali, who, along with Jhulan Goswami, has been rested for the T20 domestic tournament.
The three-team tournament, comprising Supernovas, Velocity and Trailblazers, will see three games followed by the final between May 23-28 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
“I love leadership, I have captained at domestic level. Whatever opportunities I get I am ready to take it,” Deepti said in a virtual press conference.
The all-rounder, who has batted at different positions for India, said that she will bat according to the match situation.
“I am always ready to bat anywhere according to the demand of the team. Hopefully, I will open (in Women’s T20 Challenge). I had opened in domestic cricket. I love batting at the top-order because you get enough time to build your innings and you also get powerplay overs,” she said.
When asked about the areas in which she worked heading into the tournament, Deepti said, “I have worked on power-hitting. I have also worked extensively on my inside out shots with coach.”
“I would like to gain and enjoy the T20 format. I hope to do my best in all three departments and take the team to the final.”
The India international also praised the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for organising the fourth edition of the Women’s T20 Challenge. The tournament, which began in 2018, was called off in 2021 as it clashed with India’s tour of Australia.
“BCCI taking good initiative for women’s cricket. In future, six teams may be there because in India there is a lot of talent and if the tournament is expanded they will get to show their talent,” Deepti said.
“It is a very good opportunity for new players because foreign players will be there alongside senior India players. They can share the dressing room and gain valuable experience. The women players will also get to play matches which is important.”
The Women’s T20 Challenge will kick off with defending champions Trailblazers taking on inaugural winners Supernovas on May 23, followed by a match between Supernovas and Velocity on May 24 and Velocity and Trailblazers on May 26. The top two teams will then play the final on May 28.