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All-rounder Deepti Sharma emphasized that the team respects all opponents as they gear up for the title match scheduled for Sunday.

India secured their spot in the final for the sixth consecutive time by defeating Bangladesh by 40 runs in the semi-final held on Thursday. Deepti mentioned that the team plans to analyze the outcome of the Pakistan-Sri Lanka match to strategize for the final. "It really depends on their result, but the Indian team is aware of that," Deepti stated when asked about their preferred opponent. "We never underestimate any team, whether it's Sri Lanka, Pakistan, or anyone else. Our focus is on improving our performance in every game as a cohesive unit," she added during the post-match press conference in Dubai.

Semi-final Victory Highlights

India previously faced Pakistan in the tournament, successfully bowling them out for a mere 55 runs and chasing down the target with 68 balls remaining. A rematch against Pakistan in the final is a possibility, but Sri Lanka, the reigning champions, poses a significant challenge. Deepti confirmed that the team will watch the other semi-final together to refine their strategies for the final. "After this match, we will gather tomorrow to review the game, which will aid us in strategizing for the finals," she noted.

Deepti's Key Contributions

Deepti played a crucial role in India's victory over Bangladesh, achieving impressive bowling figures of 3/26, limiting the opposition to 109/7 after India set a target of 149/6. Shafali Verma's outstanding performance, scoring 64 runs off 40 balls despite being dropped four times, was pivotal in helping India post a competitive score. Harmanpreet Kaur contributed an unbeaten 24 runs, while Richa Ghosh added 21 runs off 16 balls, and Deepti chipped in with a quick 13 not out from just six balls.

Deepti's All-Round Skills

Bangladesh started steadily but faltered when India introduced spin bowling. Deepti made her mark in her first over and later dismissed Sobhana Mostary and Sharmin Akter, leading to a middle-order collapse. With a total of 11 wickets, Deepti is currently the leading wicket-taker in the tournament. She expressed that her dual capability as a bowler and batsman is vital to her role. "When I began my cricket journey, I was an all-rounder, so contributing in both areas has always been beneficial for me," she explained. "Whenever I get a chance to bat, I trust my ability to contribute. I'm pleased with the few balls I faced today, as it boosts my confidence. Whether I bowl or bat first, my goal is to support the team as an all-rounder," she added.

Fielding Challenges

Despite remaining unbeaten in the tournament, India's fielding has raised some concerns. They dropped four catches against Bangladesh, although these errors did not have severe consequences. Deepti acknowledged the mistakes but expressed confidence in the team's preparation for the final. "As a team, we have been working hard on our fielding during training. We are focusing on taking catches and improving our overall fielding skills," she stated.