Richa Ghosh etched her name in the record books on Thursday, joining Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield and New Zealand’s Sophie Devine as the fastest scorers of a fifty in women’s T20 International cricket. Ghosh’s breathtaking knock came off just 18 balls, captivating a raucous crowd of over 47,000 at the DY Patil Stadium.
India’s dominant performance in the third T20I against West Indies resulted in a resounding 60-run victory, clinching the series 2-1. Batting at No. 5, Richa demonstrated her knack for delivering under pressure, smashing an unbeaten 54 off 21 balls, including three boundaries and five towering sixes. Her exploits helped India post a commanding total of 217 for four, their highest ever in T20I cricket.
The day began with West Indies opting to field, a decision that quickly turned against them. Despite an early blow with the dismissal of Uma Chetry, India’s stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana (77 off 47 balls) and Jemimah Rodrigues (39 runs) anchored the innings with a stellar 98-run partnership for the second wicket.
Mandhana set the tone early, hammering 13 runs in the third over and 20 in the fourth. Her masterful innings, featuring 13 fours and a six, marked her third consecutive fifty in the series. Mandhana’s brilliant form saw her break two significant records: she became the highest run-scorer in a bilateral T20I series for India with 193 runs, and she set the benchmark for the most runs in a calendar year in women’s T20Is, amassing an impressive 763 runs in 2024.
After Mandhana and Rodrigues’ partnership ended, Richa took center stage. Teaming up with Raghvi Bist, she added a quick-fire 70-run stand. Richa’s powerful hitting ensured India maintained a scoring rate of nearly 10 runs per over throughout the innings.
Defending a massive target, the Indian bowlers faced challenges due to heavy dew on the field, which made gripping the ball difficult. However, left-arm spinner Radha Yadav rose to the occasion, delivering a match-winning performance with figures of four for 29. She struck early by dismissing Qiana Joseph and later broke a 37-run partnership between Deandra Dottin and Hayley Matthews by removing Matthews.
West Indies’ hopes were further dashed as Radha continued to tighten the screws, leaving the visitors reeling despite a valiant 43 off 16 balls by Chinelle Henry. The Indian bowlers’ disciplined performance ensured that West Indies managed only 157 for nine in their 20 overs.
The match showcased India’s dominance across all departments. While Smriti Mandhana’s consistency earned her the Player of the Series award, Richa Ghosh’s explosive innings made her the obvious choice for Player of the Match.
Match Summary:
- India: 217/4 in 20 overs (Smriti Mandhana 77, Richa Ghosh 54, Jemimah Rodrigues 39)
- West Indies: 157/9 in 20 overs (Chinelle Henry 43; Radha Yadav 4/29)
- Result: India won by 60 runs
- Toss: West Indies opted to field
- Player of the Match: Richa Ghosh
- Player of the Series: Smriti Mandhana
India’s emphatic victory not only secured the series but also highlighted the team’s depth and ability to perform under pressure. With young talents like Richa Ghosh stepping up, the future of Indian women’s cricket looks brighter than ever.
