Richa Ghosh delivered a breathtaking performance in the third T20I against West Indies at DY Patil Stadium, smashing her way to a record-breaking 18-ball fifty. Her incredible knock set a new benchmark, becoming the fastest fifty by an Indian in T20I cricket and equaling the joint-fastest fifty in women’s T20I history.
Richa Ghosh’s fearless approach was on full display as she came out to bat in the 15th over, with India already in a commanding position at 143 runs for the loss of two wickets. Ghosh, who had shown glimpses of her potential with scores of 20 and 32 in the previous two matches, took her batting to another level in the decider.
The wicket-keeper batter wasted no time making her intentions clear, smashing a six off her very first ball against Deandra Dottin. From there, it was an all-out assault on the West Indies bowlers as she added 70 runs alongside Raghvi Bist for the fourth wicket, carrying forward the momentum set by the top order.
51* off just 18 Balls
JOINT QUICKEST FIFTY IN WOMEN’S T20IS
Take a bow, Richa Ghosh 🔥 #CricketTwitter #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/YTBLgXENbO
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) December 19, 2024
18-Ball Fifty for Richa Ghosh in Women’s T20Is
Richa’s blistering knock of 54 runs off just 26 balls included three boundaries and five towering sixes. Her fifty, which she brought up in spectacular fashion with a six, surpassed Smriti Mandhana’s 23-ball fifty against England in 2022 to claim the record for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian batter.
Here’s a look at the fastest T20I fifties by Indian batters (balls faced):
| Player | Balls | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richa Ghosh | 18 | WI W | December 2024 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 23 | ENG W | August 2022 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 24 | NZ W | February 2019 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 25 | NZ W | March 2018 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 25 | SL W | October 2022 |
Richa’s electrifying innings, which came at a strike rate of 257, was instrumental in propelling India to their highest-ever T20I total of 217/4. Her aggressive intent in the middle order provided the perfect finishing touch to an already dominant batting display by Smriti Mandhana and Jemimah Rodrigues, who were involved in a 98-run second-wicket partnership earlier in the innings.
Ghosh’s knock didn’t just add runs but electrified the atmosphere at the DY Patil Stadium, where a crowd of 47,000 watched her take apart the Windies bowling attack with effortless power and precision.
While Smriti Mandhana was the highest scorer with 77, Richa’s explosive 54 ensured India finished the innings with an imposing total, leaving the visitors with an insurmountable target. Her performance underscored her value as a middle-order finisher who can shift the momentum of a game in a matter of overs.
Richa’s dismissal came in the 19th over, bowled by Aaliyah Alleyne, but not before she had etched her name into the record books.
Richa Ghosh’s historic 18-ball fifty is a testament to her incredible talent and fearless approach to batting. By setting a new benchmark for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian, she has solidified her place as one of the most exciting young talents in international cricket. Her contribution in the decider was instrumental in India’s series victory and will be remembered as one of the most explosive knocks in the history of women’s T20Is.
FAQs
1. What is the fastest fifty by an Indian in women’s T20Is?
Richa Ghosh holds the record for the fastest fifty by an Indian in women’s T20Is, scoring a 50 off just 18 balls against West Indies in December 2024.
2. Whose record did Richa Ghosh break for the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian?
Richa broke Smriti Mandhana’s record of a 23-ball fifty against England in 2022.
3. How many sixes did Richa Ghosh hit in her innings?
Richa Ghosh hit five sixes during her innings of 54 runs.
4. What was India’s total in the third T20I against West Indies?
India posted their highest-ever T20I total of 217/4 in the third T20I.
5. How many runs did Richa Ghosh score in the third T20I?
Richa Ghosh scored 54 runs off just 26 balls at a strike rate of 257.
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