Richa Ghosh stars with whirlwind half-century as India-W bulldoze UAE

The Indian women’s cricket team enjoyed a comfortable outing and a big win as they outclassed UAE in a lopsided encounter to pocket a 78-run victory, exhibiting all-round brilliance to bolster their grip on the top spot of Group A of the Women’s Asia Cup T20 2024.

Now, with two wins from two games and an NRR of +3.386, they have placed themselves a mile ahead of their arch-rivals, Pakistan, as well as Nepal and UAE.

Winning the toss, UAE opted to bowl first and found themselves against an unprecedented storm. Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana threw the metal to the pedal and runs started flowing faster than a raging river in an over-pouring monsoon. Despite suffering a handful of dents in quick succession in the form of Mandhana (13), Verma (37) and Dayalan Hemalatha (2), the Women in Blue had no intention of getting into a shell.

An incoming Jemimah Rodrigues kept the wheels in motion while captain Harmanpreet Kaur looked in menacing touch. Rodrigues couldn’t add much, falling for just 14 but the fall of Jemimah was the grit in the oyster that India desperately needed. It introduced Richa Ghosh into the mix.

Richa Ghosh blasted her way through the UAE bowlers, while Harmanpreet Kaur who was initially reticent decided to take gigantic strides towards the end, hammering away at will against Samaira Dharnidharka. What was a fine over until the third ball turned into a nightmare for the latter with the Indian captain firing on all cylinders.

Kaur blasted Samaira for 14 runs in the last three balls, setting up a podium for a grandstand finish. Despite a misunderstanding between Ghosh and Kaur cost the latter her crucial scalp, the RCB wicket-keeper had no intentions of relenting. She meant business and she was going after it.

Ghosh smashed Heena Hotchandani for five consecutive fours, shattered milestones aplenty. Indian women posted their highest-ever total in T20Is, scoring 201/5 which was also their first collective double-century in the international arcade.

UAE did start well through their captain, Esha Oza (38) but dearth of support from the other end didn’t allow UAE to take flight in what had to be a remarkable chase in order to reclaim the tide in their possession. Renuka Singh struck early, removing Theertha Satish while Pooja Vastrakar continued her rich vein of form, claiming Rinita Rajith. Adding further salt to the wounds of UAE, Deepti Sharma sent Samaira packing for just five.

Reduced to 36/3 from 7.3 overs, UAE went into rebuilding mode and that took them a while to get themselves into safer territory than the launchpad that would have allowed them to go all guns blazing. Kavisha Egodage (40) gave good company to her captain but that was the last shard of resistance which went up in smoke as the Indian bowlers dashed for the finishing line.

Team India clinched their second consecutive win, this time by a staggering 78 runs, boosting their NRR emphatically. Richa Ghosh won the Player of the Match for her whirlwind half-century.