Before the 2017 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup, whenever the conversation turned to Indian bowlers, one name dominated—Jhulan Goswami. However, India boasts many other remarkable bowlers, each with their own impressive records, such as Neetu David, Ekta Bisht, Priyanka Roy, and Diana David. With the ICC T20 World Cup fast approaching, it’s worth shining a spotlight on one of these unsung heroes—Diana David.
Diana David, a right-arm off-spinner, holds a special distinction in women’s T20I cricket. She is the only player to take two four-wicket hauls in a single edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. This incredible achievement came in the 2010 edition, where she claimed figures of 4 for 27 against New Zealand and 4 for 12 against Sri Lanka.
In India’s opening match of the tournament, they faced New Zealand, the runner-up of the inaugural edition. The White Ferns opted to bat first, but Gouher Sultana struck early, removing their captain, Aimee Watkins. A steadying partnership of 39 between Suzie Bates and Sara McGlashan followed, but then Indian skipper Jhulan Goswami turned to Diana David. David made an immediate impact, dismissing McGlashan with her very first ball, and by the end of the over, Bates had fallen too. She wasn’t done yet. In the fifteenth over, David struck twice more—this time with back-to-back deliveries, removing Nicola Browne and Amy Satterthwaite. New Zealand finished their innings at 139 for 8, with David’s 4 for 27 as the standout performance. Despite her efforts, India fell short by 10 runs.
In India’s final group stage match—a virtual quarter-final against Sri Lanka—David once again stole the show. India batted first and posted a solid 144 for 3 in their 20 overs. In response, Sri Lanka never found their rhythm, losing Chamari Athapaththu to a run-out in the very first over. Then, David struck twice in her first over, dismissing Suwini de Alwis and Dedunu Silva. Like clockwork, she claimed two more wickets in consecutive deliveries, this time removing Chamari Polgampola and Sripali Weerakkody. Thanks to David’s brilliant 4 for 12, Sri Lanka managed only 73 for 9, handing India a resounding 71-run victory.
Born on March 2, 1985, in Chirala, Andhra Pradesh, David made her international debut in an ODI against the West Indies on February 26, 2004, in Dhanbad. However, it wasn’t until six years later that she earned her T20I cap, debuting against England on March 6, 2010. In that match, she impressed with figures of 2 for 21 (4), claiming the crucial wickets of Jenny Gunn and Katherine Sciver-Brunt. Over the course of her T20I career, she played 13 matches, taking 16 wickets, with the best of 4 for 12. In her ODI career, she played 15 matches, taking an equal number of wickets, with the best of 3 for 39.
Diana David’s contributions to Indian cricket, especially her memorable performances in the 2010 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, continue to be a source of pride and inspiration for aspiring cricketers.
