Navi Mumbai, Dec 19 (NationPress) Richa Ghosh, the Indian wicketkeeper-batter, dazzled the crowd by scoring a remarkable 18-ball half-century in the series finale versus the West Indies, thereby equalling the record for the joint-fastest fifty in the annals of women’s T20Is. This feat also marks the swiftest fifty recorded by an Indian female player in this format.

During the match held at the DY Patil Sports Academy, Richa set the stage ablaze for over 47,204 fans by striking three fours and five sixes in her unbeaten 21-ball score of 54. Her explosive innings, alongside Smriti Mandhana’s outstanding 77, propelled India to a staggering total of 217/4, marking their highest score ever in women’s T20I cricket.

This total easily surpassed India’s prior best of 201/5, achieved against the UAE during the Women’s Asia Cup in Dambulla, Sri Lanka, earlier this year in July. Richa entered the crease after Smriti’s departure, who had recorded her third consecutive fifty of the series and her 30th overall in T20Is, breaking Suzie Bates’ record of 29 fifties in the format.

Richa wasted no time, launching her first ball for a six off Deandra Dottin and concluding the over with a four through backward point, followed by another boundary off Aaliyah Alleyne.

Continuing her aggressive approach, Richa targeted Deandra, Aaliyah, and Hayley Matthews, culminating in a spectacular six over deep mid-wicket, achieving her half-century in just 18 balls, thus matching the record for the fastest T20I half-century alongside Sophie Devine from New Zealand and Phoebe Litchfield from Australia.

Despite Richa’s explosive innings, which came at an impressive strike-rate of 257.14, she concluded her assault a ball before India’s innings ended, ensuring India finished strongly at 217/4 and challenging the West Indies to set a new record for the highest chase in women’s T20I history.