Women's Asia Cup 2024: Richa Ghosh breaks Rishabh Pant's record during blitzkrieg versus UAE

Richa Ghosh was at her destructive best in India's second Women's Asia Cup 2024 encounter against the UAE at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, July 21.

The wicketkeeper-batter bludgeoned 64 runs off 29 balls during her unbeaten knock in the first innings. She belted 12 fours and a solitary six to help India reach 201/5 in 20 overs. This was the first time India amassed a 200-plus total in Women's T20I cricket. Richa became the youngest India wicketkeeper-batter to hit a T20I fifty for India. She achieved the feat at 20 years and 297 days. The previous record was held by Rishabh Pant, who smashed his first T20I fifty against the West Indies at the age of 21 years and 206 days in 2019.

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Ghosh also became the first wicketkeeper-batter to hit a half-century in Women's Asia Cup history. It was also the first T20I half-century for the Siliguri-born. She has played a total of 52 T20I matches and scored 824 runs at an average of 28.41, and a strike rate of 138.48.

"Really happy. When I'm playing with Harry di, she guides me about how the ball is coming on. When the opportunity comes to me, I want to just deliver what I know and what I'm practicing. First four from the cover drive was the favourite moment. Yeah I'm feeling good (recovery from concussion)," Richa said after being adjudged Player of the Match.

India register comfortable 78-run win versus UAE

The Women in Blue all but guaranteed themselves a spot in the semi-finals by registering a comprehensive 78-run win against the UAE. Harmanpreet Kaur's women restricted their opponents to 123/7, as Deepti Sharma starred with figures of 2/23 in four overs.

Also Read: Harmanpreet Kaur surpasses Smriti Mandhana to become India's highest T20I run-getter

Earlier in the day, captain Harmanpreet also smashed a belligerent half-century and surpassed Smriti Mandhana to become India's highest run-getter in WT20Is. The right-handed batter scored a blistering 66 off 47 balls before being run out in the last over. Her 75-run partnership off 45 balls with Richa was a treat to watch. India have two wins in two games in Group A and an excellent net run-rate (NRR) of 3.298. Their last group game is against Nepal on Tuesday, July 23.