Harmanpreet Kaur-Led India Sets Record with Highest T20I Total

In a record-setting performance, Harmanpreet Kaur-led Team India registered their highest T20I total in women’s cricket, defeating United Arab Emirates Women by 78 runs in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 on Sunday. India’s impressive 201/5 marked their first 200-plus total in women’s T20Is, surpassing their previous best of 198/4 against England in the 2018 triangular series at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium.

India’s score of 201/5 also set a new benchmark for the highest team total in the Women’s T20 Asia Cup, eclipsing the previous record of 181/4 set by the Women in Blue against Malaysia in the last edition of the tournament.

Recapping the match, UAE won the toss and elected to bowl first in Dambulla. Key contributions came from Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored 66 runs off 47 balls with 7 fours and 1 six, and Richa Ghosh, who remained unbeaten with a blazing 64 runs off 29 balls, hitting 12 fours and 1 six. Shafali Verma added a rapid 37 runs from 18 balls, featuring 5 fours and 1 six.

For the UAE, Kavisha Egodage led the bowling attack, picking up two wickets in her four-over spell. In response, Kavisha Egodage (40* runs from 32 balls, with 3 fours and 1 six) and skipper Esha Rohit Oza (38 runs from 36 balls, with 5 fours and 1 six) were the top performers, helping their team reach 127/7 and resulting in a 78-run defeat.

Deepti Sharma spearheaded the Indian bowling effort, taking two wickets in her four-over spell and ensuring the successful defense of the 202-run target. Richa Ghosh was named the ‘Player of the Match’ for her outstanding performance.