India’s Prema Rawat wrests world record from Pakistan to hit women’s fastest T20 fifty

Indian pacer Prema Rawat produced a sensational batting display to create history in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy as she smashed the fastest fifty in women’s T20 cricket. Prema, who represented Uttarakhand against Hyderabad at the MCA Cricket Stadium in Gahunje, Pune on Monday, November 2, reached her half-century in just 14 balls, breaking the previous record of 15 deliveries held by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana.

The 24-year-old remained unbeaten on 50 from just 14 balls, smashing six fours and four sixes at a staggering 357.14. Her explosive knock helped Uttarakhand post an impressive 187 for two after electing to bat first. Prema was also named Player of the Match for her all-round contribution.

Fatima made history in May 2026 when she smashed a fifteen-wicket haul against Zimbabwe in Karachi. The Pakistan skipper broke the previous women’s T20 international record of 18 balls, which was jointly held by New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, Australia’s Phoebe Litchfield and India’s Richa Ghosh.

Fatima’s effort also equaled the women’s T20 overall record previously held by Marie Kelly and Laura Harris. Prema has now done even better and reduced the record to just 14 deliveries.

FIREWORKS BY POWER UTTARAKHAND

Uttarakhand’s innings was built on a solid foundation by Raghvi Bist and Kareena who put together a 72-run partnership. Kareena contributed 19 before departing while Raghvi anchored the innings with an impressive 72. Bist then combined with Neelam Bharadwaj to add 57 runs for the second wicket before Prema’s breathtaking attack fired Uttarakhand to 187 for two.

Hyderabad struggled to keep up with the required run rate and failed to build meaningful partnerships. They managed just 98 for eight in their 20 overs, giving Uttarakhand a comprehensive 89-run victory.

Prema also struck with the ball and returned impressive figures of 4-0-12-2. She dismissed Gugulotha Kavyashree and Nalla Kranthi Reddy to conclude the memorable outing.

While this innings will bring her batting into the limelight, Prema is better known as a leg-spinner. She won a place in India’s Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad after Shreyanka Patil was sidelined with an ankle injury.

Prema was rewarded for her performances for India A, taking eight wickets in five matches during the Rising Stars’ victorious Women’s Asia Cup campaign. She also took seven wickets in three T20 matches on India A’s 2025 tour of Australia.

Prema made her senior debut in 2026 and has since played seven T20Is for India, taking seven wickets. Her best figures of 3/9 came against Pakistan in the Women’s Asia Cup. Her record fifty against Hyderabad added another dimension to her game and underlined her ability to impress with both bat and ball.

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