Richa Ghosh etched her name into the record books with a blistering 18-ball half-century during the third and final T20I against West Indies in Navi Mumbai on Thursday.

Her electrifying performance equaled the record for the fastest fifty in women’s T20Is, previously achieved by New Zealand’s Sophie Devine and Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield. Ghosh’s incredible innings ended with a massive six over midwicket in the final over, highlighting her dominance at the crease.

The Indian wicketkeeper-batter walked in at a critical juncture following Smriti Mandhana’s dismissal in the 15th over. Wasting no time, Ghosh made her intentions clear by launching the very first ball she faced for a six. Her aggressive approach laid the foundation for one of the most memorable knocks in Indian women’s cricket.

Ghosh’s record-equalling innings was backed by a stunning strike rate of 257.14—the highest ever achieved by an Indian woman in a T20I innings (minimum 50 runs). On the global stage, this ranks as the third-best strike rate in women’s T20Is, trailing only Devine’s 70 off 22 balls and Litchfield’s 54 off 21  balls.

A pivotal moment in her innings came early when West Indies fielders Deandra Dottin and Chinelle Henry misjudged a catch at deep midwicket, giving Ghosh a reprieve while she was on just 10 runs off two balls. Capitalizing on the missed opportunity, she unleashed a flurry of boundaries and sixes, punishing the opposition for their lapse.

India Women registered highest ever T20I score

India delivered a commanding batting performance despite losing Uma Chetri early in the first over. Skipper Smriti Mandhana anchored the innings with a stellar 77, while Jemimah Rodrigues provided solid support with a composed 39. However, it was Richa Ghosh who stole the spotlight with a blistering knock of 54 runs, leaving the West Indies bowlers struggling to find the right length.

The lackluster effort from the West Indies bowlers yielded just four wickets, as India surged to their highest-ever total in women’s T20Is—a record-breaking 217/4. This monumental score surpassed their previous best of 201/5, achieved against the UAE during the Asia Cup in July 2024.

The 20-year-old’s incredible knock also eclipsed India’s previous fastest T20I fifty—a 23-ball effort by Smriti Mandhana. Her ability to shift the momentum of the game with her fearless batting has cemented her status as a vital player in India’s lineup and a rising star in international cricket.