India is playing the first semi-final of Commonwealth Games 2022 against England. A win today will lock a medal for India. But Harmanpreet and Co. are definitely eyeing something beyond just a medal. Batting first, India scored 164 for England to defend. Smriti Mandhana, the star-opener scored a quick-fire 61 off 32 including 8 fours and 3 sixes which gave India a tremendous start. However, what is even more important is that Smriti Mandhana broke her own record and scored the fastest fifty by Indian women in T20Is off just 23 deliveries. Earlier, she scored a half-century off 24 deliveries in 2019 versus New Zealand. Moreover, the third fastest fifty by an Indian woman in T20s is also to Mandhana’s credit which she scored against England off 25 balls in 2018.
Smriti Mandhana is also the leading run-scorer in the tournament so far, she has scored 153 in 4 matches. She has crossed the 50-mark in two matches. The vice-captain’s great form is proving to be an asset for India. This was her 16th T20I half-ton. The opening duo Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana also completed 1000 T20I runs. In addition, she becomes the first Indian woman to score a fifty in a powerplay of a T20I.
The fastest fifty in Women’s T20Is is by Sophie Devine off just 18 deliveries.
Smriti Mandhana scores the fastest fifty by Indian women in T20Is
India’s commonwealth Games 2022 have been going well so far. The team lost its first match which was against Australia. However, their performance in the last two matches was brilliant. 4 teams have qualified for the semi-finals: India, New Zealand, Australia, and England which was a predictable top 4.
India defeating England in the semi-final would ensure a medal.
Twitter reactions: Fans left amused
All feats achieved by Smriti Mandhana in CWG 2022 SF1
- Fastest 50 by Indian Women in T20Is (23 deliveries).
- The partnership of 1000 runs as an opening pair with Shafali Verma.
- First Indian woman to score 50 in the powerplay in a T20I.
