Harmanpreet Kaur, Richa Ghosh's heroics help India women register their first-ever 200-plus total in T20I history

The India Women's National Cricket Team scripted history against the United Arab Emirates Women's National Cricket Team in the Women's Asia Cup T20 2024. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team achieved multiple records during the fifth match of the ongoing eight-team T20 tournament in Sri Lanka.

Openers Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma provided a strong start at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium in Dambulla on Sunday, July 21. Captain Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh stole the show with their half-centuries. Harmanpreet and Richa helped the team set a mammoth total of 201/5 in 20 overs.

India Women's Team Script History In Dambulla

The India women's cricket team set a record for their highest total in women's T20Is. The Women in Blue also registered the highest score in Women's Asia Cup history.

Highest Totals By Indian Women In WT20Is:
201/5 - VS UAE Women (today)
198/4 - VS England Women (2018)
194/5 - VS New Zealand Women (2018)

Harmanpreet Kaur came to the crease when the team was struggling at 52-3. The Indian skipper added 54 runs with Jemimah Rodrigues for the fourth wicket. She then formed a 75-run stand with Richa Ghosh for the fifth wicket. Kaur was dismissed after scoring 66 runs from 47 balls, including seven fours and a six.

Kaur became the first batter to reach 500 runs in the Women's Asia Cup (T20Is). The Indian women's team skipper also surpassed Meg Lanning (3405) to become the second-highest run-scorer in women's T20Is, trailing only Suzie Bates (4348).

Richa Ghosh smashed her first century in the shorter international format. The right-handed batter played a quickfire 64 runs off 29 balls, including 12 boundaries and a maximum. Ghosh showcased her finishing skills by hitting five consecutive fours in the last over against left-arm orthodox spinner Heena Hotchandani.

Kavisha Egodage is the standout performer in the UAE’s bowling attack. Egodage picked up two wickets for 36 runs in her four overs, while Samaira Dharnidharka and Heena Hotchandani each took one wicket.

Shafali Verma Provides Promising Start To Team India

Earlier, Team India got off to a promising start after being asked to bat first. Smriti Mandhana scored 13 before being caught at mid-off off Kavisha Egodage. Shafali Verma then contributed a quick 37 off 18 balls, including five boundaries and a six, before being caught behind off Dharnidharka Samaira’s delivery.

Dayalan Hemalatha was dismissed by Hotchandani, leaving India at 52 for 3. Harmanpreet Kaur and Jemimah Rodrigues then steadied the innings with a 54-run partnership in 39 balls. The batting duo helped the team surpass 100 by the 11th over. Rodrigues was out in the 12th over after scoring 14 runs off 13 balls.

India began their tournament with a seven-wicket win against Pakistan. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team are the defending champions, having defeated Sri Lanka in the final match in the last edition of the tournament. Currently leading Group A, the India team will advance to the semi-finals if they beat against the UAE.

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