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Queenstown, Feb 22: The 18-year-old wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh hit a 26-ball fifty, surpassing the record for the fastest ODI fifty by an Indian woman, in the 4th ODI against New Zealand in Queenstown on Tuesday.
Richa Ghosh brings up the fastest fifty by an Indian batter in Women's ODI 🔥
She needed just 26 balls to reach the milestone 👏
Watch all the #NZvIND action LIVE or on-demand on https://t.co/CPDKNxoJ9v (in select regions) 📺 pic.twitter.com/ad34maGg4A
— ICC (@ICC) February 22, 2022
When Richa Ghosh stepped in, India were 19 for 4 in a rain-shortened chase of 192 in 20 overs. Mithali Raj and Richa Ghosh put on a 77-run combination with a strike rate of 200 and a run rate of more than 10, giving India hope of an unexpected triumph. Only six more fifties have been recorded in Women’s ODIs in 26 or less balls, none by an Indian.
Not only was the 26-ball fifty the fastest by an Indian, but it also set a record for the fastest 50 in New Zealand. Richa was out for 52 off 29 balls, and the match was all but over when Mithali (30 off 28) followed her into the pavilion. Soon after, India was bowled out for 128 in 17.5 overs, falling behind 0-4 in the series.
“When I am batting at number five, my role remains the same, to build a partnership and attack as per the team’s situation and I follow that. My game is simple, to attack and take singles and keep playing,” she said.
Fastest Women’s ODI fifty by an Indian 26 balls –
Richa Ghosh v NZ, today
29 balls – Rumeli Dhar vs SL, 2008
32 balls – Veda Krishnamurthy v SA, 2018
