India Women, led by Smriti Mandhana, end half a decade-long wait by registering their first bilateral T20I series win at home in the last five years. They do so by thrashing West Indies Women in the series decider by galloping 60 runs. In the process, India Women also complete their fourth T20I win against West Indies Women at home and 15th overall in 24 WT20Is.  

Prior to this series win, India's last series win at home came way back in October 2019 against South Africa Women. 

See also:  Major breakthrough for ICC as neutral venues to play host to all India-Pakistan matches till 2027

Mandhana's opens up on India's emphatic T20I series win

After receiving a brutal 9-wicket hammering in the second WT20I, the pressure was back on the Smriti Mandhana-led Indian side. With three consecutive series defeats against England, Australia, and South Africa in the past 12 months, the fourth white-ball home series defeat looked imminent.

But speaking at a press conference, the Indian skipper revealed that the team had a pep talk ahead of the third WT20I and sensed that they had the opportunity to win a T20I series at home after five long years.

“It’s been five years since we haven’t won a T20I series in India. That was the chat earlier in the day. We had the chance to do it after 5 years. Need to keep doing the right things now. With the kind of batting line-up, we have some new youngsters. So need to take responsibility. More than timing the ball, I try to put my head into playing according to the situation."

Mandhana was in dominant form with the bat in the series returning impressive scores of 64, 63, and 77. She played an instrumental role in steering India to a famous 2-1 win against West Indies thus putting an end to their bleak streak in this format at home. Her carnage with the bat followed by her tactical brilliance on the field saved the day for the home side in the do-or-die decider clash on Thursday. 

Mandhana lauds Richa Ghosh for her record-breaking blitzkreig

Both Mandhana and Richa were at their brutal best with the bat on the third and final WT20I. The duo launched a scathing assault on the Windies Women bowlers to power India to their highest-ever WT20I score of 217-4. Richa hammered a blistering 18-ball fifty and equaled the record for achieving the fastest WT20I fifty. In her short-lived entertaining knock, Richa only lasted 21 balls but went on to make a match-defining contribution of 54 runs with the help of three boundaries and five sixes.

Following the end of the match, the Indian skipper heaped endless praise on the youngster and lauded her for notching up a record-breaking performance at the DY Patil Stadium. Being conscious of the dew factor, Mandhana appreciated how her entire team worked collectively in all departments to negate that impending threat from dew.  

“Liked the way Richa Ghosh batted. The way the girls stepped up today, they played with a lot of intent. I wouldn’t have been able to that playing my second or third match."

India Women's next white-ball assignment against West Indies will commence with a three-match WODI series starting on December 22 at Vadodara. 

During the crucial Group A match of India Women vs Pakistan Women at Dubai in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024, Indian wicketkeeper Richa Ghosh stunned with her exceptional keeping skill to dismiss Pakistan Women’s captain Fatima Sana.

Pakistan Women captain Fatima Sana chose to bat first after winning the toss. Pakistan didn’t have a good start, and the batters were struggling more after the powerplay. 

In the powerplay, Pakistan Women scored 29/2. There was no solid partnership, as the Pakistan batters failed to score runs. While four Pakistan batters managed to reach double-digit scores along with the 12 extras, only Nida Dar reached the 20-run mark. 

Keeper Ghosh denied Fatima Sana's dominance

Pakistan finally saw some light in the 14th over, where the skipper Fatima Sana hit two successive boundaries in the fourth and fifth balls of that over. Sobhana tossed up the last ball outside off, where the Pakistan captain had a thick outside edge. As Ghosh was following the delivery rightly, the wicketkeeper grabbed the catch incredibly. Everyone was stunned by that catch, while Sana lost her wicket at an important time.

WHAT. A. CATCH. 🤯#RichaGhosh's superb reflexes see 🇵🇰 skipper #FatimaSana's back off #AshaSobhana's bowling! 🔥

What total will Pakistan post? 💭

📺 Watch #WomensWorldCupOnStar 👉 #INDvPAK LIVE NOW pic.twitter.com/LoTtUc9JUA

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) October 6, 2024

Pakistan's captain was out for 13 runs. Pakistan hugely struggled to find boundaries after Sana’s wicket, as they only managed to score 105/8 in 20 overs. Nida Dar scored 28 off 34 balls before losing her wicket in the last over. 

Among the Indian bowlers Arundhati Reddy (3/19) and Shreyanka Patil (2/12) took three and two wickets, respectively. 

Watch: 'Umpires and referees ko hum baad mei handle karenge’, says Rohit Sharma

India won by six wickets

At chase, India started slow, and the process moved slowly after the powerplay as the Indian batters struggled to find boundaries. Shafali Verma (32), Jemimah Rodrigues (23), and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (29 retired hurt) comfortably guided the Indian team to victory. India Women won by six wickets after chasing the target in 18.5 overs after losing four wickets. 

The Asia Cup 2024 Women’s Semi final is set to be a thrilling encounter as India takes on Bangladesh. Both teams have shown remarkable skill and determination throughout the tournament, setting the stage for an exciting clash. India, known for their strategic play and powerful batting line-up, have been in formidable form, dominating their group stage matches. Their key players have consistently delivered outstanding performances, making them a formidable force in this competition.

On the other hand, Bangladesh has emerged as a resilient and tenacious team, demonstrating exceptional prowess with both bat and ball. Their journey to the semi finals has been marked by impressive victories and standout individual performances, showcasing their ability to compete at the highest level. The stakes are high, and the winner will secure a coveted spot in the Asia Cup 2024 Women’s Final, bringing them one step closer to glory.

See Also: Men’s Hundred 2024: Match Analysis: Where did Birmingham Phoenix went wrong in their innings?

INDW vs BANW: Key Batters Poised to Shine in Women’s Semi-Finals

Shafali Verma: Shafali Verma has been a standout performer for the Indian women’s cricket team in the Asia Cup 2024. With 270 runs in 10 matches, she boasts an impressive average of 33.75 and a striking strike rate of 141.36. Known for her aggressive batting style, Shafali has consistently provided India with explosive starts, putting the opposition bowlers under immense pressure. Her ability to score quickly and dominate the powerplay overs has been a crucial factor in India’s successful campaign so far.

Smriti Mandhana: Smriti Mandhana, another key player for India, has been in sublime form throughout the tournament. Accumulating 265 runs in 10 matches, she has maintained an excellent average of 44.17 and a strike rate of 131.18. Smriti’s elegant stroke play and ability to build innings have made her a cornerstone of India’s batting lineup. Her consistency at the top of the order has not only provided stability but also allowed the middle order to play more freely. Her contributions have been vital in setting competitive totals and chasing down targets effectively.

Murshida Khatun: For Bangladesh, Murshida Khatun has been a significant contributor with the bat. In 8 matches, she has scored 208 runs at an average of 26 and a strike rate of 96.29. While her statistics may not seem as flashy as some of her counterparts, Murshida’s role in the team has been crucial. She has provided solid starts and has anchored the innings, allowing the more aggressive batters to play around her. Her ability to rotate the strike and keep the scoreboard ticking has been essential in building partnerships and laying the foundation for competitive totals.

Nigar Sultana: Nigar Sultana has been a pivotal figure for Bangladesh in the Asia Cup 2024. With 236 runs in 10 matches, she has an average of 33.71 and a strike rate of 95.16. As a middle-order batter, Nigar has often found herself in pressure situations, where she has shown remarkable composure and resilience. Her knack for playing crucial knocks and guiding her team through tough phases has been invaluable. Nigar’s performances have not only steadied the ship for Bangladesh but have also propelled them to key victories, making her a player to watch in the semifinals.

See Also: Women’s Asia Cup 2024: Player Analysis: Richa Ghosh: The Next Evolution in Indian Women’s Cricket

In the 42 T20I innings Richa Ghosh has played, she has faced more than 25 deliveries in an innings only five times. Shockingly, she didn’t face a single ball in the last T20I bilateral series against South Africa. Now, pause for a second. If you have seen her innings against the UAE on July 21, pause for a few seconds longer. This revelation might leave you puzzled.

For anyone who has witnessed this 20-year-old from Siliguri bat for India, it’s hard to accept that she hardly gets to bat for a significant duration in T20Is. Her performance against the UAE highlights her potential and raises questions about her underutilization in the team. It’s a frustration shared by many who see in her the future of Indian women’s cricket, yet find her opportunities to shine so limited.

The incredulity of Richa Ghosh’s stat is heightened further when considering her performance in the last five balls of her innings against the UAE, where she scored the fastest-ever 50-plus score in T20I cricket for an Indian woman. The offside field was heavily packed, and the bowler’s line and length were clear to Richa. It all depended on how she’d manage to thread the gaps in the 25-yard circle.

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In-depth Analysis of Richa Ghosh’s Match Winning Innings

On the second delivery of the over, the ball was full and outside off. For Richa, this was easy. She thrives in the V as a batter, and she sent the ball precisely there, collecting a four wide off mid-off. The next delivery was slightly short, requiring her to use her wrists. Richa did more than just guide the ball; she wristily slashed it with power, managing to place it wide of the diving point fielder. Another four! Her ability to read the game and exploit even the smallest gaps showcased her exceptional batting skills, making her innings against the UAE a remarkable display of her talent and potential.

The fifth delivery showcased Richa Ghosh’s growing range spectacularly. She executed a reverse sweep to hit a full ball to deep point for a boundary, stunning the UAE fielders. Richa, beaming with pride, flashed a broad smile, revealing all 32 of her teeth. Why shouldn’t she? She had just completed her first T20I fifty, and India was on the brink of crossing 200 for the first time in their history.

On the very next ball, India achieved that milestone, reaching 201/5 at the end of 20 overs – their highest score in a T20I game. Richa, the wicketkeeper from Siliguri, jogged back to the pavilion, all smiles, seemingly unaware of the magnitude of her own performance. Against the UAE, it was her off-side play that truly stood out. She scored 75% of her runs in that region with such finesse that it never felt like she was muscling the ball. Remarkably, in her innings played at a strike rate of 220.68, she hit just one six! All her other big shots were well-placed fours, underscoring her exceptional skill and precision.

Imagine the impact Richa Ghosh could make if she consistently faced more deliveries. Despite her limited opportunities, she has already established herself as the best wicketkeeper-batter India has ever had. It’s not just her keeping skills but the manner of her stroke play and the continuous improvements in her batting that make her stand out in a lineup filled with flamboyant batters like Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, and Harmanpreet Kaur.

At just 20 years old, Richa has proven that she represents the next step in the evolution of batting in Indian women’s cricket. Her ability to adapt and innovate, as shown in her recent performances, highlights her immense potential and the significant impact she could have on the game if given more chances to shine.

See Also: Player Analysis: The Enduring Legacy of James Anderson’s 21-Year Test Career

Harmanpreet Kaur’s steady 66 and a blazing 64 off 29 balls from Richa Ghosh helped India achieve their highest T20I score of 201/5 defeating UAE by 78 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup in Dambulla on Sunday, july 21.

India dominates

Strong start by Verma and Mandhana

India’s opening pair, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, laid a solid foundation in just 14 balls. Mandhana hit a powerful slog-sweep and a cover drive, while Verma took over with aggressive shots. Though UAE struck back with some quick wickets, India reached 50 runs in just 4.2 overs.

Steadying the ship with Kaur and Rodrigues

Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues focused on running between the wickets to rebuild the innings. Kaur punished any loose balls and formed a crucial partnership with Rodrigues. After Rodrigues fell, Richa Ghosh came in and quickly accelerated the score with a flurry of boundaries, setting up India for a big total.

Final assault by Ghosh and Kaur

Ghosh immediately eased the pressure on Kaur and led the charge in the final overs. Kaur reached her fifty and then hit a series of boundaries before getting run out. Ghosh continued the assault, hitting the last five balls of the innings for boundaries, pushing India to 201/5.

UAE struggles

Pacers put UAE under pressure

India’s pacers, Renuka Thakur and debutant Tanuja Kanwar, started strongly, keeping the runs in check. Despite a few boundaries, UAE’s batters struggled. Pooja Vastrakar bowled a maiden over, and Thakur and Vastrakar took crucial wickets, putting UAE on the back foot early.

Oza fights alone

UAE captain Esha Oza tried to counterattack but lacked support. She hit a few big shots but couldn’t keep up with the required run rate. Kanwar eventually got her stumped on 38, ending her resistance and leaving UAE in trouble.

Kavisha’s late effort

With 108 runs needed from the last five overs, UAE’s lower order couldn’t pull off a miracle. Despite Kavisha Edodage’s unbeaten 40 off 32 balls, UAE fell well short, suffering a heavy defeat.

Player of the Match :Richa Ghosh

“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”

Women’s Asia Cup T20, 2024 Group-B points table

Richa Ghosh made history with her stunning performance against the UAE in Dambulla, as India surpassed 200 runs in T20Is for the first time during the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 on Sunday, July 21. Richa became the first Indian wicketkeeper-batter in the Women’s Asia Cup to score a fifty, helping India finish strong. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur topped the innings with a score of 66, finishing as the highest scorer.

The UAE won the toss and chose to bowl first. India got off to a strong start with Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, but Mandhana was dismissed quickly. Shafali continued her aggressive play, scoring 37 runs off just 18 balls, helping India reach 52 runs in 5 overs before she was dismissed. India faced a setback when Hemalatha was bowled by Hotchandani. However, Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues steadied the innings, with the Indian skipper playing the aggressive role.

The pair added 54 runs together before Jemimah was dismissed with more than 8 overs remaining. Richa Ghosh then stepped in and completely changed the game.

The Richa Ghosh performance

The Indian wicketkeeper began with a few singles before hitting a boundary to get her momentum going. In the 15th over, she smashed a six and then proceeded to hit UAE skipper Esha Oza for four boundaries in the next over.

Richa kept rotating the strike with her captain, quickly bringing up their 50-run partnership. At one point, it seemed India might fall short of 200 runs as Harmanpreet struggled to find her rhythm in the 19th over.

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However, the Indian skipper finished the over with a flourish, hitting two boundaries and a six off the last three balls. In the final over, Harmanpreet was run out due to a mix-up with Richa, but the wicketkeeper-batter made up for it by finishing strong.

Richa sent the last five deliveries to the boundary, remaining unbeaten on 64 off 29 balls with 12 fours and a six. India concluded their innings with 201 runs for the loss of 5 wickets in 20 overs.

The previous highest total for India in T20Is was 198 for 4 in 20 overs against England in Mumbai in 2018.

India’s openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma dominated South Africa’s bowlers on the first day of their Test match in Chennai. Mandhana scored a strong 149, while Verma hit an impressive double century with eight sixes, leading India to a massive 525/4 – the highest score ever on the opening day of a Test match at Chepauk.

The day started slowly for the Indian openers, but once Verma hit a boundary, they never looked back. Their partnership reached 292 runs, with both players scoring big centuries. Verma’s aggressive shots, including her record-breaking sixes, left South Africa struggling.

After a brief pause for lunch, Mandhana and Verma continued their attack, frustrating the South African bowlers. They kept hitting boundaries and reached their centuries on consecutive balls. Mandhana, who had already scored two centuries and a 90 in the ODIs, was aiming for a double century but got out at 149.

Verma’s record-breaking double century

Despite this, Verma kept up the pressure hitting back-to-back sixes and then a single to reach her double century. Her powerful batting along with Jemimah Rodrigues quick runs, added to South Africa’s troubles. Verma was eventually run out, and Rodrigues got out after passing fifty.

As the day ended, India kept scoring, with Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh taking advantage of the tired bowlers. India finished with 525 runs, setting a new record for the highest opening day score in Women’s Test history.

SEE ALSO: India-W vs South Africa-W: Shafali Verma hits fastest double century in women’s test cricket history

Seventeen Indian players had registered for the The Hundred draft for the 2024 edition of the tournament but only two players found teams in the team building process on Wednesday as well. Indian vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh were the two selected Indian players in the draft who got the teams.

Smriti Mandhana and Richa Ghosh played for RCB together recently

While Smriti Mandhana returns to Southern Brave with whom she won the title last season, Richa Ghosh will join Birmingham Phoenix for the upcoming season as well. Both players, regulars in the Indian national team, recently played for the Royal Challengers Bangalore side which won the second edition of the Women’s Premier League as well.

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However, Smriti Mandhana is a swashbuckling left-handed batter who has made her name with stunning knocks. She has already led Royal Chalengers Bangalore brilliantly in the Women’s Premier League this season as well. Meanwhile Richa Ghosh has made headlines with her powerful strokes and become a dangerous finisher and a trusted hands behind the stumps as well.

Australian players found teams

Apart from her, hikha Pandey, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur and Shreyanka Patil were among the Indians who missed out this season as well. On the other hand, Australian players are in the news now as they found teams withand the likes of Meg Lanning, Beth Mooney, Ashleigh Gardner, Lauren Cheatle, Jess Jonassen, Sophie Molineux being picked in the auction as well.

Following useful contributions during the previous week at the women’s T20 World Cup, Richa Ghosh has moved up to rank fifth among Indian batters in the top 20 of the ICC T20I rankings for women. That is Ghosh’s career-high in the batter’s circle, where she is joined by Amelia Kerr and Muneeba Ali, both of whom have also posted career-high numbers.

Ghosh finished the week 20th despite a first-ball duck against Ireland, scoring 44 not out in 32 balls in the win over West Indies and 47 not out in 34 balls in the loss to England

No. Smriti Mandhana 3, Shafali Verma 10, Jemimah Rodrigues 12, and Harmanpreet Kaur, captain (No. The remaining Indians in the top 20 are (13).

In the meantime, Kerr, who is also ranked 13th in the world for T20I bowling, scored a match-winning 66 against Sri Lanka to rise to No. Her highest ranking to date is 16 on the batters’ list. She has also moved to No. 3, a one-spot increase among T20I all-rounders.

Renuka Singh, another of Ghosh’s India teammates who made significant moves, went 5 for 15 against England, a career high. As a result, he moved up seven places to fifth among bowlers.

Muneeba became the first Pakistani batswoman to score a century in a women’s Twenty20 International match when she struck 102 off 68 deliveries on February 15 against Ireland. That moved her up ten places to 64th, her highest position ever.

Meg Lanning has moved up one spot to fourth place among batters after scoring 48 runs without being out against Bangladesh, and Suzie Bates has moved up two spots to No. 6 following her respective scores of 56 and 81 not out against Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.

Tazmin Brits, who have risen six spots to No. 21), Amy Jones, who rose from 26th to 26th, Orla Prendergast, who rose from 38th to 38th, and Harshitha Samarawickrama, who rose from No. 39) moved up the other batters.

Lea Tahuhu moved up to seventh place on the bowlers’ table after taking eight wickets in four games, including a three-for against Australia. She also reached 700 rating points for the first time in her career.

Darcie Brown, who is still only 19 years old, has also made her debut at No. 10 in the rankings. 8; Hayley Matthews, who went 2 for 14 against Pakistan, has moved up to tenth place.

ALSO READ: IND vs AUS: David Warner ruled out of remaining Tests due to injury

Ashleigh Gardner remained the No. 1 all-rounder. 1; however, Deepti Sharma has moved up to fourth, Matthews and Kerr have moved up, and Nida Dar has moved up two spots to fifth.

Teenage wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh guided India-W to a second victory in two games at the Women’s T20 World Cup on Wednesday as her mature finishing overshadowed the return of star Smriti Mandhana. Opener Mandhana, who became the most expensive player at this week’s Women’s Premier League auction, was out for 10 on her comeback from a finger injury as India-W chased the West Indies’ modest 118-6 at Newlands in Cape Town.

India-W was 43-3 in the eighth over when the 19-year-old Ghosh arrived at the crease, and she stroked five fours and constructed a 72-run stand with captain Harmanpreet Kaur (33) to take their team home. Kaur was out just before the end, leaving Ghosh to smack a short ball through square leg for four for the winning runs. India-W went level with England at the top of Group 2, with the English in first place on net run rate.

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Richa Ghosh helps India-W-W with another match-winning knock

They will meet in a top-of-the table match on Saturday, the highest profile game at the tournament so far. India-W beat Pakistan in its opening game, when Ghosh also showed her value with 31 not out to help seal victory. “She (Ghosh) has been great for us,” Kaur said. “She is someone who can always pull the game for us. She is a very dangerous batter. She can express herself. We are happy with the results and the next game is very important. (We) just want to continue the rhythm.”

A partnership of 73 for the second wicket between Stafanie Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle (30) threatened to set West Indies up for a good total but the late-innings acceleration never came. India-W spinner Deepti Sharma claimed both their wickets in her 3-15 and West Indies struggled from a good position at 77-1 to a below-par total. Here in South Africa, they have come with a weapon that is going to take down attacks with ease. A Richa Ghosh-sized weapon.

The only academic interest at that stage was how quickly could India get to the target and thereby stand a chance of overhauling England to the top spot in Group B on the basis of net run rate. True to expectations, India went hard at the start, but once they lost Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues and Shafali Verma inside eight overs, they focused on just getting the job done. And Richa, in the company of skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, did exactly that, stitching a 72-run partnership for the fourth wicket before the captain perished with four runs needed.