Top 5 wicket-takers for India in Women's Asia Cup (T20s) ft. Deepti Sharma
India, the women's Asia Cup's most decorated team with seven titles, will look to defend their crown at the upcoming edition. The 2024 tournament starts on July 19 with India taking on Pakistan.
India have dominated the T20 format, winning in 2012, 2016, and 2022. Bangladesh are the only other champion, having won in 2018 by defeating India in the final.
Eight teams will battle for glory in two groups of four. The top two from each group advance to the semi-finals, with the summit clash on July 28.
All games will be held at Sri Lanka's Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla. In India's victorious run last time around, Deepti Sharma bagged 13 wickets and played a massive role in their triumph.
On that note, here is a look at the top five wicket-takers for India in the Women's Asia Cup (T20s).
#5 Rajeshwari Gaikwad (10 wickets)
Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gaikwad takes the fifth position in this list. She has picked up a total of ten wickets from nine innings, having participated in two editions (T20).
In her first appearance in 2018, she played only two matches, picking up a solitary wicket. However, she put up a better display in the 2022/23 edition with nine wickets from seven innings at an average of 11.77 and an economy rate of 4.60.
She also ended as India's second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.
#4 Anuja Patil (13 wickets)
With 13 wickets from three editions, left-arm off-spinner Anuja Patil is second on this list.
Anuja grabbed just one wicket in the 2012/13 edition. However, she had a successful tournament in 2016/17, accounting for eight wickets from six innings.
In her third Women's Asia Cup (T20) in 2018, Anuja could only pick four wickets from six innings.
#3 Deepti Sharma (16 wickets)
All-rounder and right-arm spinner Deepti Sharma has featured in two Women's Asia Cup (T20) tournaments for India.
In her debut tournament in 2018, Deepti could only manage to pick up three wickets from six innings. Come the next edition, however, Deepti was at her very best, carrying much more experience as well.
In the 2022/23 edition, Deepti grabbed 13 wickets from eight innings and impressed with an average of 7.69 and an economy rate of just 3.33. She ended as the leading wicket-taker of the tournament and for her all-round performance, was also named 'Player of the Series'.
#2 Poonam Yadav (17 wickets)
India's forgotten leg-spinner Poonam Yadav has been a massive contributor to the Indian women's team.
She has been successful in Women's Asia Cups (T20) for the Women in Blue as well, with 17 wickets to her name having played two editions.
In the 2016/17 edition, Poonam claimed seven wickets from four innings at an average of 6.28. She built on her showing, delivering in the 2018 edition, this time picking up 10 wickets from six innings at an average of 7.90.
#1 Ekta Bisht (20 wickets)
Ekta Bisht is the most successful Indian bowler in the Women's Asia Cup (T20) history.
The 38-year-old left-arm spinner has featured in three editions and has 20 wickets to her name. In the first edition in 2012/13, she picked up five wickets from four innings.
She was the highest wicket-taker for India in the 2016/17 tournament with ten scalps from five matches. In her last appearance in the 2018 edition, Ekta Bisht accounted for five wickets from four innings.