Smriti Mandhana becomes 3rd Indian to achieve elite milestone with fifty vs Sri Lanka in Women’s T20 WC

New Delhi: Team India opener Smriti Mandhana returned among the runs with a quickfire half-century in her side’s crucial clash against Sri Lanka in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday. Mandhana scored a quickfire 50 off 38 balls against Sri Lanka and became only the third Indian batter to complete 500 runs in the Women’s T20 World Cup.

India headed into the must-win game against Sri Lanka under pressure after recording a win and a loss in their first two matches of the tournament. Mandhana combined with her opening partner Shafali Verma to get the Women in Blue off to a strong start after they won the toss and opted to bat first in the game.

While Mandhana notched up her 27th half-century in T20Is, Shafali scored 43 off 40 balls as the duo added 98 runs for the first wicket. En route to her 38-ball 50, Mandhana completed 500 runs in the Women’s T20 World Cup becoming the third Indian to do so after current skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and former India captain Mithali Raj.

Mithali is the highest run-getter for India in the Women’s T20 World Cup history with 726 runs from 24 matches at an average of over 40, including 5 fifties. Harmanpreet is in the second spot with 672 runs from 38 matches averaging 23.17 followed by Mandhana, who has notched up 518 runs in 24 matches in the tournament so far.

Most runs for India in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024:

Mithali Raj – 726 runs

Harmanpreet Kaur – 672 runs

Smriti Mandhana – 518 runs

Mandhana is one of India’s most successful batters in T20Is with 3512 runs in 143 matches at an average of over 28 and a strike rate of 121.94, including 26 fifties. She is second on the list of batters with the most fifties in women’s T20Is only behind New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who has 29 half-centuries to her name in the shortest format.

Mandhana, Harmanpreet power India to highest total in the tournament

Mandhana and skipper Harmanpreet slammed half-centuries apiece to power India to a strong total of 172/3 in 20 overs, the highest in the tournament so far. After a brilliant start from the openers, Harmanpreet went all guns blazing to add the finishing touches to India’s innings with a sensational knock of 52 runs off 27 laced with 8 fours and a six.

Harmanpreet notched up her fifty in 27 balls, the fastest by an Indian batter in women’s T20Is. India will look to successfully defend the total and bag their second win in a row to strengthen their chances of making it to the semi-finals.

Full Coverage of ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2024

 Smriti Mandhana became only the third Indian batter to achieve an elite milestone with a quickfire half-century against Sri Lanka in the Women’s T20 World Cup 2024 on Wednesday.  Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today