Indian wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh once again proved why she is the x-factor in the Women in Blue outfit with a quick-fire knock of 54 in just 21 balls during the third T20I between India and West Indies on Thursday (December 19) at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium.

With the series level 1-1 going into the decider, Indian stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana gave the hosts a dazzling start with a knock of 77 in just 43 balls. Walking out to bat at number five in the 15th over of the match, Ghosh played a knock for the ages as she reached her half-century in just 18 balls and helped India put up a score of 217 on the board, which is their highest T20I score in history.

The 21-year-old equalled the world record for the quickest half-century in Women's T20I held by New Zealand's Sophie Devine and Australia's Phoebe Litchfield. As a result, Richa is now the outright holder of the Indian record of quickest T20I half-century. The wicket-keeper batter broke Smriti Mandhana's long-standing record (24 balls) set in 2019 against New Zealand.

With a strike rate of 257.14, this is also the third-quickest 50+ score in Women's t20I history behind Devine (318.18) and Litchfield (273.68). The Indian record for the fastest knock in the shortest format was already held by Ghosh with an innings of 64 in 29 balls against UAE earlier this year at a strike rate of 220.68.

Richa also holds the record for the fastest 50 in Women's ODI with a 26-ball half-century against New Zealand in 2022 at Queenstown.

Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world.