Richa enters the record books as Indian women clinch the T20I series against West Indies

Richa Ghosh joined Australia’s Litchfield and Kiwi Devine in scoring the fastest fifty in women’s T20I.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Richa Ghosh loves to finish games, no matter where she bats. Challenging situations bring out the best in her.

Things were no different at the DY Patil Stadium on Thursday. Batting at No. 5, she toyed with the West Indies bowlers and went on to join Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield and New Zealand’s Sophie Devine in scoring the fastest fifty in women’s T20I — off just 18 deliveries.

With more than 47,000 spectators chanting her name, Richa (54, 21b, 3×4, 5×6) guided India to a massive 217 for four — its highest total in the format — as the Women in Blue recorded a 60-run win in the third T20I and pocketed the series 2-1.

Coming on the back of a dominating victory, West Indies’ move to field backfired as none of its bowlers could make an impact.

Despite Uma Chetry departing early, India piled on the runs as stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana (77, 47b, 13×4, 1×6) and Jemimah Rodrigues put on a 98-run partnership for the second wicket.

Smriti set the tone by scoring 13 off the third over and 20 off the fourth. As she smashed the bowlers all over the park, en route her third consecutive fifty, Smriti not only made batting look quite easy, but also set the record for most runs (193) by an Indian woman in a bilateral T20I series. Making the most of West Indies’ listless bowling and sloppy fielding, Smriti also became the batter with most runs in a calendar year in women’s T20Is with a tally of 763.

Once the Smriti-Jemimah partnership ended, Richa forged a 70-run stand with Raghvi Bist and carried on the carnage.

Richa found the fence with ease as India scored at nearly 10 an over.

However, with heavy dew settling in, the Indian bowlers had a tough job on hand.

But left-arm spinner Radha Yadav dashed Windies’ hopes with figures of four for 29. 

While Qiana Joseph fell early, Radha broke the 37-run stand between Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews, by removing the latter. As she tightened the noose, West Indies slipped further and was eventually out of the game, despite Chinelle Henry’s quick-fire 43 off 16.

The scores: India 217/4 in 20 overs (Smriti 77, Richa 54, Jemimah 39) bt West Indies 157/9 in 20 overs (Henry 43; Radha 4/29); Toss: West Indies.

PoM: Richa; PoS: Smriti.