In a outstanding show of energy hitting and ability, Richa Ghosh etched her identify into the annals of cricket historical past on December 19. Throughout the third and remaining T20I in opposition to the West Indies on the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, the younger wicketkeeper-batter achieved a shocking feat by scoring a half-century in simply 18 balls. This unimaginable efficiency not solely showcased her immense expertise but additionally contributed to India’s highest-ever complete in girls’s T20Is.
A fiery begin from India after an early strike
The match started with West Indies profitable the toss and opting to discipline first. The Indian innings received off to a rocky begin when Uma Chetry was dismissed for a duck within the very first over. Nonetheless, captain Smriti Mandhana rapidly steadied the ship, launching an aggressive counter-attack. Mandhana’s blistering innings of 77 runs off 47 balls set the tone for what was to return. Her explosive batting included 13 fours and a six, as she and Jemimah Rodrigues put collectively a formidable partnership of 98 runs in simply 55 balls, propelling India in the direction of a frightening complete.
Additionally READ: IND-W vs WI-W [Twitter reactions]: Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh shine as India clinch historic T20I collection win at residence after 5 years
Richa Ghosh’s record-breaking blitz
After Mandhana’s departure, Ghosh entered the fray with a transparent intent to dominate. She wasted no time in making her mark, hitting a six off her very first ball in opposition to Deandra Dottin. Ghosh’s innings was nothing in need of sensational; she scored 54 runs off simply 21 balls, hanging three fours and 5 sixes. Her aggressive strategy not solely helped her attain her fifty in file time but additionally ensured that India posted an imposing complete of 217 runs for 4 wickets.
Ghosh’s strike price of 257.14 is now the very best for an Indian girl in a T20I innings the place at the very least 50 runs had been scored, additional highlighting her explosive capabilities on the crease. As she reached her fifty with a strong six within the remaining over, she joined New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield because the joint holder of the quickest fifty file in girls’s T20Is.
🚨 𝗥𝗘𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗗 𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧 🚨
5⃣0⃣ in simply 1⃣8⃣ balls! 💪 💪
Richa Ghosh creates historical past! 🔝
She now has the joint-fastest T20I fifty (in girls’s cricket) 👏 👏
Stay ▶️ https://t.co/Fuqs85UJ9W#TeamIndia | #INDvWI | @IDFCFirstbank pic.twitter.com/YoxIb3NM2E
— BCCI Ladies (@BCCIWomen) December 19, 2024
India set new benchmarks within the collection decider
India’s complete of 217/4 not solely surpassed their earlier highest rating of 201/5 in opposition to the UAE earlier this yr but additionally marked a brand new milestone in girls’s T20I cricket. The staff’s efficiency was characterised by aggressive batting and strategic partnerships, with contributions from Rodrigues (39 off 28) and Raghvi Bist (31* off 22) rounding out a formidable batting lineup.
The match was not nearly particular person brilliance; it additionally mirrored India’s rising dominance in girls’s cricket. With this victory, India demonstrated their skill to carry out underneath strain, particularly after their disappointing efficiency within the second T20I the place they didn’t publish a aggressive rating.
Additionally WATCH: Minnu Mani’s jaw-dropping catch to dismiss Hayley Matthews within the IND-W vs WI-W 2024 1st T20I
This text was first printed at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Occasions firm.
