Will double my hard work, says Deepti Sharma after being conferred Arjuna Award

Responsibility accompanies recognition. For Deepti Sharma, that means doubling the hard work, for, she will now be called an Arjuna awardee, after being conferred with the honour on Friday (August 21), though the virtual ceremony will be held next Saturday (August 29).

“It’s a very proud moment for me. I am very happy for the recognition,” Sharma told Women’s CricZone after the announcement.

“It’s a big motivation for me because it’s a huge honour. My responsibility has just got bigger now. I have to double the hard work from now on to prove myself at the top level. My family, friends, coaches and mentors have supported me all throughout and without them, it wouldn't have been possible.”

The 22-year-old started playing the game at a very young age following her brother to the Ekalavya Sports Stadium. Gradually, she progressed through the domestic ranks and is now one of the vital cogs in India’s limited-overs side. She holds the record for the highest individual ODI score by an Indian player – 188 off 160 balls against Ireland in 2017. She also is the only one from the team to bowl three successive maidens in T20Is.

Sharma made her international debut in 2014 and since then has grown in stature, and is any captain's favourite on a given day. She was also the part of the Indian side that went on to play the 2017 World Cup final against England at Lord's. Although India couldn't manage to cross the final hurdle, the allrounder finished the tournament with 216 runs from nine games besides taking 12 wickets.

ALSO READ: Discipline, dedication and a brother’s sacrifice – How Deepti Sharma fulfilled her international dreams

“Poonam di, Mithali di, Jhulu di’s messages have already come in, so have other teammates',” said Sharma, who became the second from Agra after the 28-year-old Poonam Yadav, to be conferred with the Arjuna Award.

Meanwhile, according to Yadav, things can’t be any better than back-to-back Arjuna awardees from the same place.

“It’s a very proud moment for Indian women’s cricket as the award has been coming from Agra in back-to-back years,” Yadav told this portal.

“It’s been seven to eight years... Prior to last year, no award was won by any of the Agra girls. There is a good scope for girls in Agra and they are doing a lot of hard work."

“In Uttar Pradesh, it is only Agra, from where most girls are coming in, which shows the development that's happening in women’s cricket,” she concluded.

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