NEW DELHI: There's a saying that behind every successful man stands a woman - but in the case of Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma, the phrase has taken a twist. She played a stellar role in India's maiden Women's World Cup title.

Deepti made run-a-ball 58 with the bat and picked up five wickets for 39 runs to help India beat South Africa by 52 runs in the final on November 2. She was also adjudged player of the tournament.

What Deepti achieved today is largely because of the sacrifices made by her brother, Sumit, who once quit his job to support her cricketing dreams. His dedication has finally paid off, as Deepti played a pivotal role in guiding India to World Cup glory.

After the final, an emotional Sumit opened up about the long journey and the sacrifices that went into shaping Deepti into the cricketer she is today.

"When I decided to quit my job, I didn't know when Deepti would play for India, how many years she would play, or if she would ever play in the World Cup. I only knew one thing, that I had to do everything in my power so that she could play for India one day," said Sumit, in an interview with The Indian Express.

"After that, God took us beyond our dreams. Jab aap poori shiddhat se, poori mann se kisi kaam karte hain (When you do something with all your heart and mind), destiny will be with you," Sumit said.

For Deepti, the 2025 final marked a shot at redemption. Back in 2017, a 20-year-old Deepti had watched heartbreakingly as India fell just nine runs short of the title. But on the eve of this year's summit clash, she promised her brother that history would not repeat itself - the trophy would come home this time.

"Before the final, she (Deepti) made a commitment to me. 'Bhaiya, whatever I do, I will put in my 100 per cent, and I will not let this trophy go from India.' Even before the final, she told me the same thing: 'With the bat or ball or on the field, whatever I can'," revealed Sumit.

"And as we met on the field, she said: 'Bhaiya, maine apna promise poora kiya na? (Brother, I fulfilled my promise, right?)'," Sumit revealed further.