“Lady Dhoni” - Fans react as Richa Ghosh smashes 64 runs off 29 balls during the IND-W vs UAE-W Asia Cup game

Indian keeper-batter Richa Ghosh was on fire against the United Arab Emirates Women in the fifth game of the Women's Asia Cup T20 2024. UAE captain Esha Rohit Oza won the toss and asked India Women to bat at Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium on Sunday, July 21.

Richa came to bat in the 12th over when Jemimah Rodrigues' wicket left India at 106/4 in 11.4 overs. It was the 15th over of the innings when the Indian keeper broke the shackles by hitting four boundaries in UAE captain Esha Oza’s over.

Richa hit five consecutive boundaries after captain Harmanpreet Kaur was run out on the first ball of the last over. The 20-year-old remained unbeaten on 64 runs off 29 balls, smashing 12 boundaries and a maximum.

Fans were thoroughly impressed by Richa’s inning. Here are some of the reactions:

"Richa Ghosh can walk into any women’s international team including our men’s T20I team as a keeper batter, She is that special," a fan wrote.

"Richa Ghosh scored 64 runs on just 29 balls against UAE, She is the best finisher of women’s team," wrote another.

"Richa Ghosh, take a bow!" a fan wrote.

Richa Ghosh also became the first wicketkeeper batter to score a half-century in the history of the Women's Asia Cup. As a result, India Women finished with their highest-ever T20I total of 201/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

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Richa Ghosh and Harmanpreet Kaur shine as India register their first 200+ score in T20 cricket

After being asked to bat first, India lost Smriti Mandhana (13) and Dayalan Hemalatha (2) early. Shafali Verma played a counter-attacking inning of 37 runs off 18 balls, hitting five boundaries and a maximum.

Later, it was Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh’s show. The Indian captain slammed 66 runs off 47 balls, with seven fours and a six and stitched a 75-run stand with Ghosh to take India to 201.

In response, at the time of writing, the UAE women were 67/3 after 10 overs.

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