Indian cricketer Prema Rawat has etched her name in the record books by scoring the fastest half-century in the history of women's T20 cricket. The 24-year-old leg-spinner, representing Uttarakhand, reached her fifty in a blistering 14 deliveries during a Senior Women’s T20 Trophy Elite match held at the MCA Cricket Stadium in Gahunje, Pune, on Monday.
This remarkable knock saw Rawat comfortably surpass the previous record of 15 balls, which was held by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana. Sana had set that benchmark in May 2026 during a match against Zimbabwe in Karachi. Rawat's innings, which remained unbeaten, featured a display of aggressive batting with six fours and four sixes, resulting in a staggering strike rate of 357.14.
Rawat’s explosive performance provided a significant boost to the Uttarakhand innings, allowing the team to post a competitive total of 187 for two after they elected to bat first. Her efforts were well-supported by opening batters Raghvi Bist, who contributed 72 runs off 50 balls, and Kareena, who added 44 runs from 34 deliveries. In response, the Hyderabad team struggled to establish momentum and ultimately finished their innings at 98 for eight, handing Uttarakhand an emphatic 89-run victory.
Beyond her batting heroics, Rawat also made an impact with the ball. She claimed two wickets for 12 runs during her four-over spell, an all-round effort that earned her the Player of the Match award. While this record-breaking innings has drawn significant attention to her batting capabilities, Rawat is primarily recognized in the cricketing circuit as a leg-spinner.
The cricketer's career trajectory has seen consistent growth since she earned a spot in India's 2026 Women's T20 World Cup squad as a replacement for the injured Shreyanka Patil. Her selection was the result of strong performances for India A, including taking eight wickets in five matches during the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars campaign and claiming seven wickets in three T20s during a 2025 tour of Australia.
Since making her senior international debut in 2026, Rawat has participated in seven T20 Internationals for India. Her best international bowling figures of 3/9 were achieved against Pakistan during the Women's Asia Cup. Although she currently holds the record for the fastest fifty in women's domestic T20 competition, the record for the fastest fifty in a Women's T20 International match remains held by Pakistan's Fatima Sana.
The benchmark of 14 balls by Rawat is a notable reduction from the previous international record of 15 balls, which had itself improved upon the 18-ball record previously shared by players such as Sophie Devine of New Zealand, Australia's Phoebe Litchfield, and India's Richa Ghosh. Rawat's achievement marks a new chapter in the evolving landscape of women's T20 cricket, highlighting the increasing depth of talent within the Indian domestic structure.
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