Star cricketer Deepti Sharma expressed her delight at being selected for Sunrisers Leeds in The Hundred Women's 2026 competition. The Indian all-rounder highlighted her enthusiasm for joining the defending champions and spoke about what the opportunity means to her as both a player and a supporter of the team's identity.
She explained the significance of playing for Sunrisers Leeds and the atmosphere surrounding the team during the Hundred, emphasising how the home ground at Leeds creates a special environment for the squad and their supporters.
"I was very excited when I was picked for Sunrisers Leeds, because orange is my favourite colour. So, it always feels good wherever I see orange. Playing on our home ground here in Leeds is special. The ground is full of Sunrisers fans, and everywhere I look, I see orange," Deepti said during an interaction on JioStar.
Deepti's performances in the league stage
The ace cricketer's connection to the franchise extends beyond her selection to the team's identity and the vibrant supporter base. She emphasised how playing at Leeds holds special significance for her and the squad, with the atmosphere created by fans throughout the tournament making the experience memorable for the players.
The all-rounder highlighted the team's collaborative spirit and the value of collective contributions during the competition.
"I think the fans must also be enjoying watching us perform well at home. As a team, we really appreciate each other's contributions, whether it's a good innings or a tight bowling spell. We are enjoying that as a group. The more we learn from these experiences, the better it will be for us," she added.
Deepti's performances in the tournament have been significant for Sunrisers Leeds. The all-rounder finished the league stage with 12 wickets across eight matches, including a best bowling performance of 3 for 11, demonstrating her value to the defending champions' campaign.
As the tournament progressed, Deepti remained the only Indian player still in the competition, underlining her importance to the team's prospects. Sunrisers Leeds faced Manchester Super Giants in their final group-stage game on August 11, with the winner securing a playoff place, making the closing stages of the league phase crucial for the defending champions' title defence.