DAMBULLA: On a momentous Sunday, July 21, 2023, Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur delivered a scintillating performance as India faced the United Arab Emirates (UAE) during the Women’s Asia Cup at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium. The duo’s fireworks with the bat not only steered India to a commanding 201/5 in their allotted 20 overs but also etched their names in the record books by propelling India to its highest ever total in the history of Women’s T20 Internationals.
The stage was set for an exhilarating encounter as India, buoyed by a recent victory over Pakistan, sought to continue their winning streak for a second consecutive triumph in the tournament. Despite a solid beginning, India found themselves in a shaky position, having lost three wickets for 52 runs within the power play. The early surge provided by Shafali Verma’s brisk 37-run innings seemed to be losing its impact as the middle order began to crumble.
However, the fall of every wicket only seemed to embolden India’s resolve. Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the ship momentarily with a vital 54-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Their partnership showed signs of resurgence as they carefully navigated the UAE bowling lineup. Yet, Rodrigues’s departure for 14 runs once again put the team under duress.
Enter Richa Ghosh, who alongside her captain, transformed the narrative of the Indian innings with a blistering fireworks display. Their partnership was nothing short of spectacular, as they took on the UAE bowlers with an array of aggressive strokes and seamless running between the wickets. Harmanpreet’s composed knock of 66 runs from 47 balls provided the perfect anchor to the innings, while Richa’s explosive batting took the stage by storm. By the end of their battering assault, India had posted a formidable total of 201/5 – a historic first for any Indian women’s T20 team.
Richa Ghosh’s sublime innings of 64 runs off just 29 balls deserves particular acclaim, given its context and execution.
. Her aggressive approach featured a flurry of boundaries and timely rotation of the strike, showcasing her technical prowess and fearless attitude. In achieving her half-century, Richa also achieved a personal milestone, becoming the first Indian wicketkeeper to score a fifty in the Women’s Asia Cup, surpassing the previous highest score of 23 by Sulakshana Naik.
Reflecting on India’s historic performance, the team has come a long way from their previous highest team total of 198, which was scored against England in 2018 during a Tri-Nation series also featuring Australia. This 201-run feat underscores the increasing depth and caliber of India’s lineup, riding on standout contributions from key players like Harmanpreet and Richa.
India’s strategy for the match witnessed a forced change as Shreyanka Patil was ruled out of the tournament due to a fractured finger. In her place, Tanuja Kanwar made her debut, receiving her maiden cap, and adding a fresh dynamic to the team’s composition. The selection decisions underscore the depth of talent within the Indian Women’s cricket team, showcasing the readiness of new players to rise to the occasion.
The confidence bolstered by the presence of seasoned all-rounders, such as Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar, along with the sharp bowling attack led by Renuka Thakur Singh, further solidified the team’s aggressive approach in both batting and bowling departments.
Indian Playing XI for this thrilling encounter comprised Shafali Verma, Smriti Mandhana, Dayalan Hemalatha, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Pooja Vastrakar, Radha Yadav, Renuka Thakur Singh, and Tanuja Kanwar. Each member played a vital role in framing the team’s formidable stance.
On the other side of the competition, UAE’s lineup included Esha Rohit Oza (c), Theertha Satish (wk), Rinitha Rajith, Samaira Dharnidharka, Kavisha Egodage, Khushi Sharma, Heena Hotchandani, Vaishnave Mahesh, Rithika Rajith, Lavanya Keny, and Indhuja Nandakumar. The team, although not able to curtail India’s aggressive innings, displayed spirited cricketing efforts.
As the Women’s Asia Cup progresses, India’s exceptional performance and record-breaking innings have undoubtedly elevated the excitement and competitive spirit within the tournament. The Women in Blue, under the incisive leadership of Harmanpreet Kaur and the explosive batting prowess of rising stars like Richa Ghosh, are carving a promising path for what could turn out to be a historic campaign in their T20 journey.
