Smriti Mandhana hits fastest T20I fifty by an Indian woman, betters own record
India batswoman Smriti Mandhana on Wednesday hammered the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian woman as she notched up her half-century in just 24 balls against New Zealand women in Wellington.
Mandhana also bettered her own record en-route to her fifty. In 2018, Mandhana struck a 25-ball half-century against England women, which was at that time the fastest T20I fifty by an Indian woman.
Harmanpreet Kaur is third on the list with a 29-ball fifty which came against Sri Lanka women in 2018. Meanwhile, the fourth and fifth spot also belong to the 22-year-old Mandhana (30-ball 50 against Australia women in 2018 and 31-ball 50 against Australia women in 2018 WT20).
New Zealand's Sophie Devine is top on the list of fastest fifties in women's T20I cricket. She hit an 18-ball fifty against India women in Bangalore in 2005.
Mandhana's fiery knock (34-ball 58) on Wednesday, however, couldn't power India women home as they lost the first T20I against New Zealand women by 23 runs.
Earlier, led by Sophie Devine's 48-ball 62, the New Zealand women posted 159 runs on the board, which proved too good for the Indian women, who were all-out for 136.
Medium pacer Lea Tahuhu led the charge for New Zealand women by picking up 3 wickets and was backed by spinners Leigh Kasperek (2/25) and Amelia Kerr (2/28).
