Smriti Mandhana Slams Fastest Fifty Among Indians in Women's T20 Cricket

Indian Women’s Cricket team vice-captain Smriti Mandhana is going through a purple patch in New Zealand. She has been the highest scorer for her side as India won the ODI series 2-1. Meanwhile, she continued her fine touch to the T20s striking the fastest T20 half-century among Indian batswomen. However, her valiant effort couldn’t save her side losing the first T20I encounter.

Meanwhile, India got off to a good start removing veteran New Zealand batter Suzie Bates early in the second over. Since then Sophie Divine stitched two crucial partnership with Caitlin Gurrey (15) and skipper Amy Sattherwaite (33) to take the side’s total over the 100-run mark. But an untimely departure of Divine (62) left the game open for the Indian to bounce back. But a late cameo from Katey Martin ensured that New Zealand post 159 runs on the board at the halfway stage. Martin’s 24 off 17 balls including two towering sixes helped her side finish high on momentum.

India, however, got the worst possible start losing their opener Priya Punia in the first over itself. But Smriti Mandhana partnered Jemimah Rodrigues to bail out India for early troubles. The pair added 98 runs for the second wicket to set the stage for the middle-orders to come and score the winning runs. While Jemimah chipped in with a 33-ball 39 runs knock, Mandhana scored a quickfire 58 before getting out. Her knock was filled with seven boundaries and three sixes.

In the process, she became the fastest Indian women to score a t20 half-century. Smriti Mandhana brought her half-century in just 24 balls breaking her own record set against England last year when scored a fifty off only 25 balls. However, skipper Harmanpreet Kaur finds herself in the third spot scoring in 29 deliveries.

The 22-year-old Mandhana has been in fine touch since she landed in New Zealand. She started the tour on a high with a century that gave India their first win in the tour. She backed it up with another unbeaten knock of 90 runs to seal the game along with the series.

Meanwhile, India couldn’t recuperate after losing Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana in quick succession. Although Harmanpreet Kaur tried a bit, her wicket put the final nail in the coffin as India lost the game by 23 runs.