At the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on Sunday afternoon, India were in early trouble after losing three wickets in power-play. But Harmanpreet and Richa added 75 runs off 45 balls for the fifth wicket, as India made 201\/5, the first time they posted a score above 200 in women\u2019s T20Is.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While Harmanpreet hit her 12th T20I fifty through a knock of 66 off 47 balls, laced with seven fours and a six, Richa applied perfect finishing touches with a whirlwind 64 not out off 29 balls, also her first half-century in the format at a strike-rate of 220.68, which included 12 fours and a six.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cI am absolutely fine (on going off the field during the second innings). It was a great feeling especially when Jemi (Jemimah Rodrigues) and I were batting. We were looking to run hard rather than playing risky shots.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWhen Richa came I told her to keep watching the ball, see how the wicket is behaving and she batted beautifully. Today also we lost early wickets but we kept ourselves ready. My role was to stay on the pitch and keep rotating the strike. Whenever loose balls come, convert them to the boundary.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cWe had a good partnership especially with Richa. Credit goes to her, because of her we reached the total (above 200). That (171 not out against Australia in 2017) was a special innings for me. Was a great memory. Really happy that innings came from me. It always gave me positive vibes,\u201d said Harmanpreet after the match ended.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Richa\u2019s unbeaten 64 is now the highest score by an Indian wicketkeeper in women\u2019s T20Is, as well as in the history of Women\u2019s T20 Asia Cup, which fetched her Player of the Match award.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cReally happy, whenever I am playing with Harry (Harmanpreet) di, she tells me how the ball is coming on and how to play the shots. Whenever I get the opportunity, I want to back myself. I want to just deliver what I know and what I'm practicing. The first four from a cover drive was my favourite.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n
UAE were far away from chasing 201 as they ended up making 123\/7. But they had positives in captain Esha Oza and Kavisha Egodage hitting 36 and 40 not out respectively in a decent batting performance after their defeat to Nepal on Friday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cReally happy, whenever I am playing with Harry (Harmanpreet) di, she tells me how the ball is coming on and how to play the shots. Whenever I get the opportunity, I want to back myself. I want to just deliver what I know and what I'm practicing. The first four from a cover drive was my favourite.\u201d<\/p>\r\n\r\n