Deepti Sharma sets sights on 2018 T20 Women's World Cup, starts training with wet tennis ball

New Delhi, Aug 1: India's talented young woman cricketer Deepti Sharma has not taken a single day's rest after reaching home in Agra on Saturday (July 29).

Harmanpreet Kaur to miss Women's Super League

She arrived home amidst much fan fare, where a road-show was organised as thousands thronged to welcome her.

Another member of the World Cup runners up Indian women's cricket team Poonam Raut was also given the warm welcome along with Deepti.

On Sunday Deepti was felicitated by the local authorities in Agra and on the very next day the 19-year-old all-rounder in Indian women's cricket squad and resumed training at her elder brother's academy under the observation of coach Bipin Avasthi.

Deepti's elder brother Sumit, who once quit a solid job only to set up a proper cricket practicing center for his sister, said, “I have asked Deepti not to get swayed with the celebration. I have reminded her that it has been great seeing them being the runner ups.

"Still it is a fact that they have not won the desired trophy. Therefore, the time to be jubilant has not come yet."

Deepti paied heed to her elder brother's advice, so she did not delay and began training in the very next day.

Deepti speaking over telephone from Agra on Monday (July 31), told OneIndia, “Now my aim is to make India champion in the T20I World Cup, scheduled to be held next year. And in a bid to prepare for the shorter format of the game, I have started batting with wet tennis ball in the camp.

"The boys are throwing wet tennis balls to me and I am batting against those balls. In T20 cricket you will not have time. You must have to score fast. At the same time, you will also have to bowl with accuracy. That is why you have to change your technique as well as temperament. And I have started it. So, let us see."

Deepti had a lot of praise for senior cricketers Mithali Raj and Jhulan Goswami.

She said, “This was my first tour to England. Moreover, I have not played in front of such a huge crowd before. But Mithali and Jhulan were so encouraging that I never felt the mental pressure."

OneIndia News