Watch: Deepti Sharma's Jaw Dropping Off Break Catches Everyone Napping 1
Deepti-Sharma (Photo SOurce: ESPNcricinfo)

Deepti Sharma produced the sharpest turning delivery of the day during India’s clash with hosts England in the opening game of the Women’s Cricket World Cup at the County Ground, Derby.

The record-breaking 19-year-old off-spinner, who snapped a wicket off the very first delivery of her spell, left wicket keeper Sushma Verma and batswomen Heather Knight completely stunned with an off break that kicked off the pitch freakily.

The spectacular moment took place in the 22nd over off the first delivery. Bowled with a classy loop, the ball moved slightly away with the help of the drift and beat the advancing right-hander completely. The delivery went through the gates and foxed the keeper as well while narrowly missing the bails on top of the off stump.

It was an offspinner’s dream delivery minus the crackling sound of shattering stumps.

She was brought into the attack in the 18th over and got off to a very positive start, helping India inflict further damage on England’s chasing effort with the wicket of NR Sciver. The dismissal came off the first delivery of her spell and also saw the tournament’s first DRS review get employed.

It was yet again a loopy delivery that did the trick for Sharma. Sciver could not control her tempt to sweep the spinner away and take the confidence away from the bowler. However, her move failed terribly. The attempt to sweep turned into a swish of air across her pads as the ball bounced off her gloves and popped up on the leg side. Keeper Sushma Verma did a fantastic job to take a diving one-handed catch and complete the dismissal to give India its third breakthrough.

Earlier, the trio of openers Smiriti Mandana, Punam Raut and Mithali Raj got better of the English bowling attack and smashed impressive individual scores to help the team total reach a comfortable 281/3 after 50 overs.

Smriti played an attacking knock of 90 off just 72 balls, Punam accumulated 86 off 134 balls while Mithali Raj, the skipper, registered her record 7 consecutive fifty, finishing with 71 from 73 balls.