"She was brought into the attack slightly late" - Reema Malhotra lauds Deepti Sharma's spell in 2nd IND vs SA T20I

Reema Malhotra has lauded Deepti Sharma for bowling an impressive spell in the second T20I between India and South Africa. However, the former India all-rounder reckons the off-spinner should have been introduced into the attack slightly earlier.

Deepti, who wasn't given the ball in the first six overs, registered figures of 2/20 in four overs as South Africa posted 177/6 after being asked to bat first in Chennai on Sunday, July 7. However, the match didn't yield a result as persistent rain didn't allow the Women in Blue to start their chase.

During a discussion on Sports 18, Malhotra was asked about her thoughts on Deepti's spell.

"She was brought into the attack slightly late. I feel if you have such a bowler who has the most experience and the skill to pick up wickets, you should bring such an artist early. However, better late than never," she responded.

The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that the spin-bowling all-rounder dismissed two formidable batters and staged a great comeback after an underwhelming performance in the previous game.

"She put the two big wickets, Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits, against her name. It shows she is always focused and ready whenever she is given the ball. The last game didn't go well for her but a player who makes a comeback is called fantastic," Malhotra added.

Deepti went wicketless and conceded 45 runs in four overs in the first T20I against the Proteas women at the same venue two days ago. The Women in Blue lost the series opener by 12 runs and need to win the final game on Tuesday to level the three-match series.

---

"Deepti Sharma was the difference between 170 and 190" - Veda Krishnamurthy

Deepti Sharma (right) broke the dangerous partnership between Marizanne Kapp and Tazmin Brits. [P/C: BCCI]

In the same discussion, Veda Krishnamurthy pointed out that Deepti Sharma was primarily responsible for India restricting South Africa below 190.

"It was an extremely important performance. If you see this bowling attack, Deepti Sharma is the most experienced, and especially when she was expensive in the last match, a comeback was expected from her in this match. Deepti Sharma was the difference between 170 and 190," she said.

The Gujarat Giants player opined that the 111-T20I veteran was used effectively in the middle overs.

"If runs had been conceded in those overs, a lot of runs would have been scored later. The way she bowled in the middle overs, all her overs were used tactically. She wasn't bowled at a stretch," Krishnamurthy noted.

Krishnamurthy added that Deepti, along with Shreyanka Patil, started the containment job.

"The stopping of the run flow was started by her. The spell she and Shreyanka bowled in the middle was extremely important. Eventually, if Deepti Sharma is bowling four overs restrictively and if you are getting a little support from everywhere else, you can see a solid bowling attack," she stated.

Deepti conceded only four runs in her first over before having Marizanne Kapp caught at mid-off by Sajeevan Sajana off the first ball of her second over. She had Tazmin Brits stumped by Uma Chetry when she was reintroduced into the attack in the 14th over.