Indian women’s cricket team has not been able to achieve the kind of results they would have liked to achieve on the ongoing New Zealand tour as they are trailing by a massive margin of 4-0 in the ODI series just ahead of the World Cup, but the batting of Richa Ghosh has certainly been one of the positives for India.
Apart from the opening batter Meghana who batted brilliantly in a couple of games at the top of the order in the absence of Smriti Mandhana, the way the wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh batted today in the run curtailed 4th ODI, it was just magnificent to watch.
The right-hander from Bengal reached the mark of 50 in just 26 balls, which is the fewest number of deliveries taken by any Indian women’s player ever to complete an ODI half-century. The record was previously held by Veda Krishnamurthy who had scored a 32-ball half-century against South Africa in 2018, but today Richa broke the record by a comfortable margin.
In this very same series, the opener Meghana had also come close to breaking Veda’s record, but she had fallen short by a couple of deliveries, as she completed her half-century in 33 balls in the third ODI.
Richa Ghosh can be the X-factor for India in the World Cup
The Indian fans on Twitter have been a bit frustrated by India’s recent performances, but they have been really ecstatic to see the young Indian cricketers coming through the ranks as well. The likes of Richa Ghosh and Meghana can be the X-factors for India in the upcoming World Cup.
Indian women’s cricket team might not be going into this World Cup as one of the favorites, but they have enough quality in the squad to surprise people with the results. The real issue for India at the moment is their bowling, which has been all over the place so far on the New Zealand tour.
In terms of batting, some of the newcomers have shown promising signs. Here is how Twitter reacted after Richa Ghosh scored a brisk half-century today –
Richa Ghosh, What a talent, India was 19 for 4 and she smashed fifty from just 26 balls – one of the crazy knocks by an India Women batter.
Advertisement— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 22, 2022
Stellar response from Richa Ghosh on behalf of the Association of Siliguri Wicketkeepers.
— Abhishek Mukherjee (@ovshake42) February 22, 2022
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Richa Ghosh now has the fastest fifty for India in Women's ODIs (26 balls). What an impressive performance. Has the ability to hit big hundreds too. Superstar
Advertisement— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) February 22, 2022
Brilliant 50 from Richa Ghosh. To come in at 19/4 after 4.4 overs and score runs at 11+ per over, is a freak effort. Absolutely magnificent.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) February 22, 2022
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Richa Ghosh was the only fighter today
Advertisement— Rushil (@rushilthefirst) February 22, 2022
Fastest 50 in India W history in ODI cricket from Richa Ghosh, wonderful hitting.
— Rajdeep Singh (@CricRajdeep) February 22, 2022
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26 ball 50 for Richa Ghosh 🔥 Sensational batting https://t.co/9WdUWJDH6o
Advertisement— Women's T20 Challenge (@wiplt20_) February 22, 2022
HOW GOOD IS RICHA GHOSH!! Superb batting! #CricketTwitter
— The Game Changer (@TheGame_26) February 22, 2022
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Fewest balls to reach a fifty in Women's ODI
(for India)
26 – Richa Ghosh (52) vs NZ-W (Queenstown) today
32 – Veda Krishnamurthy (70) vs SA-W (Kimberley) Feb 2018
33 – Sabbhineni Meghana (61) vs NZ-W (Queenstown) Feb 2022#IndWvNZW #NZWvINDWAdvertisement— Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) February 22, 2022
Fastest ODI fifty by an India women and second odi fifty by Richa🥳🥳🥳🥳
What a knock This is from Richa Ghosh 🔥🔥🔥 U Beauty little star. Take a bow🌟.#NZvIND— Ashwini/ಅಶ್ವಿನಿ🇮🇳 (@AshuCric07) February 22, 2022
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