The star Indian opener on Tuesday, December 17, created history by being the first batter in the world to score 29 half-centuries in women’s T20Is. This record was created by breaking the previous one, held by legendary New Zealand batter Suzie Bates, at 28 fifties on Tuesday, during the second T20I ongoing three-match series of India and West Indies at Dr. DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai.
The 28-year-old left-hander, who was the captain of India on Tuesday, bludgeoned 62 runs and during her 41balls at the crease where she struck nine fours and one six. The second T20I between India and New Zealand on Tuesday was Mandhana’s 147th T20I for India, recording 29 fifties more to her name.
Bates, who was part of the New Zealand team which won the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup title early this year, currently has 28 fifties and one century to her name in 171 T20Is played so far.
Thus the first five players in the list of batters with the highest number of 50s in women’s T20Is are Mandhana and Bates, and then comes Australian star Beth Mooney, former captain of the West Indies Stafanie Taylor and New Zealand captain Sophie Devine. While Mooney has 23 half-centuries to her name in 106 T20Is played so far, Taylor has crossed the 50-run mark on 22 occasions.
Most 50s in women’s T20Is
Smriti Mandhana (India) – 29
Suzie Bates (New Zealand) – 28
Beth Mooney (Australia) – 23
Stafanie Taylor (West Indies) – 22
Sophie Devine (New Zealand) – 21
Due to the outstanding performances of Mandhana, who scored 62 runs, India compiled a total of 159 runs, losing nine wickets on Tuesday which was however not enough. Captain Hayley Matthews’ unbeaten 85 off 47 balls saw the team chase down the target of 160 runs in 15.4 overs. Amongst her pompous display while at the pitch, Hayley bashed 17 four runs. She increased the score by 66 runs for the first wicket with Qiana Joseph (38 runs from 22 balls) and an unbeaten 94 runs for the second wicket with wicketkeeper batter Shemaine Campbelle (29 runs from 26 balls).
With the victory in the second T20I, the West Indies have brought the ongoing T20I series level, and the two teams will now meet again on Thursday, December 19, for the third and final T20I. The T20I series decider will also be held at the same venue.
India will play the West Indies following this T20I series in a three-match ODI series that is slated to begin on Sunday, December 22, at Reliance Stadium in Vadodara.
