Richa Ghosh Equals Record with Lightning-Fast Fifty as Radha Yadav Shines in India Women's Victory Over West Indies, Securing T20I Series 2-1

Navi Mumbai, Dec 19 (NationPress) Wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh delivered a stunning performance by scoring the joint-fastest half-century, while Radha Yadav secured four wickets as India Women decisively defeated West Indies Women by 60 runs in the third and final T20I, thereby winning the series 2-1 at the DY Patil Sports Academy on Thursday.

Opting to bat first, Richa scored an incredible half-century in just 18 balls, marking the fastest fifty by an Indian woman in T20 format, and finished with a remarkable 21-ball 54. This impressive knock propelled India to a formidable score of 217/4 in 20 overs. Captain Smriti Mandhana contributed with a brilliant 77 runs off 47 balls, marking her 30th fifty-plus score in T20Is. Additionally, Jemimah Rodrigues (39) and Raghvi Bist (31 not out) provided essential support as the top order shone, leading to India’s highest total in women’s T20Is.

In their chase, the West Indies struggled to keep up, losing Qiana Joseph (11) to Sajeevan Sajana with only 20 runs on the board. Captain Hayley Matthews started well but was caught by Sajana off Radha Yadav soon after the visitors passed the 50-run mark.

Deandra Dottin (25) was dismissed by Titas Sadhu, leading to a collapse in the West Indies lower-order, with only Chinelle Henry putting up a fight, scoring a quick 43 off 16 balls, featuring three fours and four sixes. Radha Yadav took down Aaliyah Alleyne (6), Shabika Gajnabi (3), and Zaida James (7) in rapid succession to complete her four-wicket haul, as the West Indies could only muster 157/9 in their 20 overs.

Earlier in the match, Richa Ghosh entertained the crowd of over 47,204 with her explosive batting, hitting three fours and five sixes during her undefeated 21-ball 54. Her phenomenal performance, alongside Smriti Mandhana’s 77, propelled India to a total of 217/4, marking their highest score ever in women’s T20Is.

This new record surpassed India’s previous best of 201/5 against the UAE at the Women’s Asia Cup in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, in July of this year. Richa entered the game after Smriti’s dismissal for 77, achieving her third consecutive fifty of the series and her 30th half-century overall, surpassing Suzie Bates’ record of 29 fifties in T20Is. Richa began aggressively, hitting her first delivery for a six off Deandra Dottin and concluding the over with a four, followed by another boundary against Aaliyah Alleyne.

Richa continued her assault on Deandra, Aaliyah, and Hayley Matthews, eventually hitting a six over deep mid-wicket to achieve her sensational half-century in just 18 balls, equaling the record for the fastest T20I half-century alongside New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield. Although her explosive innings concluded just before India’s innings ended, she ensured a powerful finish for the team at 217/4, challenging West Indies to break the record for the highest chase in women’s T20Is.

Brief scores:

India Women 217/4 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 77, Richa Ghosh 54, Jemimah Rodrigues 39; Chinelle Henry 1-14) defeated West Indies Women 157/9 in 20 overs (Chinelle Henry 43; Radha Yadav 4-29) by 60 runs.