VIDEO: Deepti Sharma Hits a Six to Seal The Hundred Championship for London Spirit

Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma delivered an electrifying performance in The Hundred 2024 final, securing a dramatic win for London Spirit against Welsh Fire at Lord’s in London on Sunday (August 18). With just four runs needed off the last six balls, Deepti Sharma bravely smashed Hayley Matthews for a mighty six over long-on, clinching the title for her team in spectacular fashion.

The six came on the 98th ball of London Spirit’s run chase. Deepti ran down the track against West Indies all-rounder Matthews and lofted the ball high towards long on. South African Shabnim Ismail dropped the catch at the boundary ropes and the ball landed on the cushions.

Deepti finished with run-a-ball 16, including the game-defining six. She also took one wicket in the title clash as well. Overall, Deepti scored 212 runs and bagged eight wickets in her eight ‘The Hundred’ games this season.

“To hit the six to win the game, a great feeling, I was not nervous, I had confidence I could do it. I think positive!” Deepti Sharma said during the presentation ceremony.

With 4️⃣ runs needed and 3️⃣ balls left, Deepti Sharma hits a 6️⃣ to WIN it! #TheHundred https://t.co/u57MSy7ga0 pic.twitter.com/i46RTvWFG1

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 18, 2024

Earlier, a clinical all-round display helped London Spirit beat Welsh Fire to win their maiden The Hundred title. Asked to bat first, Welsh Fire put up 115/8 in their allotted 100 deliveries.

Australian all-rounder Jess Jonassen top-scored with 54 off 41 balls with the help of eight boundaries. Hayley Matthews and captain Tammy Beaumont chipped in with 22 (26) and 21 (16), respectively.

Eva Gray and Sarah Glenn emerged as the leading wicket-takers for London Spirit, picking up two wickets apiece, while Tara Norris and Deepti Sharma bagged one each.

In reply, needing 116 to win, London Spirit chased down the target with two deliveries to spare. Georgia Redmayne top scored with 34 off 32. Skipper Heather Knight and Danielle Gibson contributed 24 (18) and 22 (9), respectively, before Deepti hit the winning six.

“It was tense, I’m an awful watcher, feeling sick for last 20-30 balls, Deepti made a meal of it in the end, kept us on tenterhooks… I’m worried about the trophy lift, it’s quite heavy! Dani Gibson, you little beauty, changed the game!” captain Heather Knight said.

“I’m so proud of the girls to fight like they did, at the time-out it was there to lose. Gutted, we’ll have loved to win. We’ve got in some good people, Gareth (Breese) and I had a vision to make it more than just a franchise that you turn up to. We were ten light with the bat, but credit to Spirit, they kept taking wickets through the middle,” Tammy Beaumont added.