Against the UAE in India’s second Women’s Asia Cup 2024 match at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, July 21, Richa Ghosh was at her most devastating.
The wicketkeeper-batter, who was undefeated in the first innings, blasted 64 runs off of 29 balls. She contributed to India’s 201/5 in 20 overs with 12 fours and one six. In women’s T20I cricket, this was the first occasion India has scored 200 or more runs.
Richa Ghosh became the youngest wicketkeeper-batter in Indian history to score fifty runs in a T20I match.
It took her 20 years and 297 days to accomplish the accomplishment. The previous record was held by Rishabh Pant, who in 2019 at the age of 21 years and 206 days struck his first T20I fifty against the West Indies.
Ghosh achieved another milestone for the Women’s Asia Cup: she became the first wicketkeeper-batter to score fifty runs. For the Siliguri-born player, it was also their first half-century in T20I. She has participated in 52 T20I matches and amassed 824 runs at a strike rate of 138.48 and an average of 28.41.
“Very content. She gives me advice on how the ball should come on when I’m playing with Harry di. I want to merely offer what I know and have been practicing when the chance arises. My favourite part of the cover drive was the first four. After being named Player of the Match, Richa commented, “Yeah, I’m feeling good (recovery from concussion).”
India defeats the UAE by a commanding 78 runs.
With a commanding 78-run victory over the UAE, the Women in Blue virtually assured themselves a place in the semi-finals. Deepti Sharma was the star of the show for Harmanpreet Kaur‘s women, who held their opponents to 123/7 after four overs at scores of 2/23.
Captain Harmanpreet also scored a fierce half-century earlier in the day, surpassing Smriti Mandhana to become India’s all-time leading run scorer in WT20Is. The right-handed batsman was run out in the final over after scoring a scorching 66 off 47 balls.
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Her partnership of 75 runs off of 45 balls with Richa was entertaining to witness. In Group A, India has won both of their games and has a stellar net run-rate (NRR) of 3.298. They play their final group match on Tuesday, July 23, against Nepal.
India
