Deepti Sharma Stars Again as Sunrisers Leeds Reach The Hundred 2026 Final

Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma produced another decisive performance as Sunrisers Leeds secured their place in the The Hundred 2026 final, defeating Southern Brave by five wickets in the Eliminator at The Oval on Saturday.

Leeds will now face Trent Rockets in the summit clash at Lord’s on Sunday, August 16, with Deepti heading into the final as one of the standout performers of the competition. The Indian international contributed in both departments during the Eliminator, taking a wicket with the ball before producing an unbeaten 28 off 22 balls to guide Leeds across the line.

Her performance also strengthened her position at the top of the competition's wicket-taking charts.

Deepti has now taken 13 wickets from nine matches, making her the provisional leading wicket-taker of The Hundred 2026 with just the final remaining. Only Trent Rockets' Sam Bates, who has claimed 11 wickets from eight matches, remains in realistic contention to overtake the Indian all-rounder.

For Deepti, the numbers underline her importance to Leeds' campaign. While her batting returns have been relatively modest during the tournament, her bowling has consistently provided breakthroughs and control. Against Southern Brave, she once again delivered at an important stage.

The Brave were restricted to just 114, giving Leeds a manageable target in the knockout fixture. Deepti dismissed Maia Boucher when the Southern Brave score reached 56/2, adding another wicket to what has become an impressive tournament tally. She was supported with the ball by Annabel Sutherland and Hannah Baker, who claimed two wickets each.

Southern Brave's innings never quite gained the momentum required for a knockout match. Opener Lizee Lee was the team's leading scorer with 32 from 25 deliveries, but the rest of the batting unit struggled to produce a substantial contribution. With Leeds' bowling attack maintaining pressure through the innings, Southern Brave finished on 114.

For Leeds, the target appeared achievable, but the chase was not entirely straightforward. Phoebe Litchfield, the leading run-scorer in the tournament, fell early for just four runs from four balls after being dismissed by Issy Wong. Her departure immediately put pressure on the Leeds middle order.

The team was eventually reduced to 54/3, creating an opening for Southern Brave to push for an upset.

Deepti steps up when Leeds need her

With the chase becoming increasingly tense, Deepti found herself in the middle alongside Lauren Winfield-Hill. The pair steadied the innings with a crucial 41-run partnership, shifting the momentum back towards Leeds. Deepti's contribution was particularly important because her batting had not been a major feature of her campaign until this point.

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In the Eliminator, however, she displayed the composure required in a knockout game. Her unbeaten 28 came from 22 deliveries and included three boundaries. Rather than taking unnecessary risks, she concentrated on keeping the scoreboard moving and ensuring Leeds remained in control of the chase.

The partnership with Winfield-Hill effectively ended Southern Brave's hopes before Deepti finished the job. The five-wicket victory sent Leeds through to the final and provided another example of why Deepti has become such an important part of the side.

Deepti's role in The Hundred reflects the value of experienced Indian players in overseas franchise competitions. The 28-year-old is one of India's most dependable all-rounders, capable of influencing matches with both disciplines. Her ability to bowl long spells of controlled deliveries and contribute lower down the batting order gives her team tactical flexibility.

At Leeds, that versatility has again been evident. Her 13 wickets are currently the most in the competition, while her Eliminator innings demonstrated that she can also take responsibility with the bat when the situation demands it. The timing of her contribution could hardly have been better.

A knockout match requires players to perform under pressure, and Deepti delivered precisely when Leeds needed stability.

Sunrisers Leeds will now turn their attention towards the biggest match of their campaign. The final against Trent Rockets will be played at Lord's on August 16.

The Rockets will arrive with Sam Bates still chasing Deepti for the tournament's leading wicket-taker award. With Bates currently on 11 wickets, the final could decide who finishes the season at the top of the bowling charts. For Deepti, however, the individual race will be secondary to the larger objective.

Leeds are one victory away from lifting the trophy, and the Indian all-rounder will again be expected to play a central role. Her performance against Southern Brave showed exactly why. When Leeds needed a breakthrough, she provided it with the ball. When the chase became uncertain, she steadied it with the bat.

Now comes the final challenge at Lord's.

With 13 wickets, an unbeaten 28 in the Eliminator and another all-round contribution under pressure, Deepti Sharma enters the final having once again demonstrated her value to Sunrisers Leeds.

One more complete performance could turn an impressive individual campaign into a championship-winning season.