Highest Run Chase in T20 by Indian Women’s Team
The Indian women’s cricket team has made tremendous strides in T20 cricket in the last decade. From being minnows to recording historic series wins overseas, the women in blue have come a long way. One aspect where their growth has been phenomenal is in their ability to successfully chase down big targets.
Let’s analyze the highest run chase in T20 by the Indian women’s team and the brilliant efforts that made it possible.
Overview of India Women’s Cricket Team in T20Is
India played its first T20 international match in 2006 against England at Scarborough. Since then, the women’s cricket has gained immense popularity in India.
Some key milestones:
- Reached semifinals of the 2009 and 2010 T20 World Cups.
- Runners-up in the 2020 T20 World Cup hosted in Australia.
- Defeated South Africa, England and West Indies in T20I series away from home in 2018-2019.
- Won a T20I series in England in 2021.
- Won first ever medal (silver) in cricket at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The growth of India women’s team in T20s has resulted from infusion of young talent, fitness culture, foreign coaches and strong domestic circuit. Let’s look at their journey of highest run chases.
Top 5 Highest Successful Run Chases by India Women in T20Is
The Indian women’s team has matured tremendously as a T20I unit. Here are their 5 best performances chasing big targets:
1. 199/5 vs New Zealand in 2019
Score: India – 200/3 in 19.4 overs
Chased: New Zealand – 194/5 in 20 overs
In the 2nd T20I at Auckland during India’s New Zealand tour in 2019, the home team batted first and posted 194/5. The Indian openers Jemimah Rodrigues and Smriti Mandhana provided a quick start before falling in quick succession.
But captain Harmanpreet Kaur played a brilliant match-winning knock of 63 off 49 balls. Wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia supported well with 23 off 14 balls as India scaled the target in 19.4 overs.
2. 198/4 vs South Africa in 2021
Score: India – 200/3 in 19.1 overs
Chased: South Africa – 197/5 in 20 overs
During the 2021 South Africa tour, the hosts batted first in 2nd T20I at Lucknow and managed 197/5. The Indian openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana added 55 runs in quick time before Laura Wolvaardt got both their wickets.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur again rose to the occasion with a sublime innings of 57* off 28 balls studded with 8 fours and 2 sixes. Richa Ghosh supported her nicely as India achieved victory in 19.1 overs.
3. 177/3 vs England in 2018
Score: India – 178/3 in 18.1 overs
Chased: England – 176/4 in 20 overs
In this group match of the 2018 T20 World Cup, England managed to score 176/4 after batting first. Indian openers Mandhana and Mithali Raj started aggressively in the chase. Captain Harmanpreet promoted herself up the order and changed the game with a brilliant 51 off 37 balls.
Wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia struck an unbeaten 23 off 11 balls as India overwhelmed the target in 18.1 overs.
4. 167/8 vs Australia in 2020
Score: India – 170/7 in 19.5 overs
Chased: Australia – 167/5 in 20 overs
During the 2020 T20 World Cup opener, defending champions Australia could only manage 167/5 after opting to bat first. 16-year-old batting sensation Shafali Verma got India off to an explosive start with 29 off 15 balls.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur anchored the chase carefully with an unbeaten 33-ball 49. Deepti Sharma hit 18* off 7 balls to seal a last over 3 wicket win for India.
5. 158/4 vs New Zealand in 2021
Score: India – 159/4 in 19.2 overs
Chased: New Zealand – 155/5 in 20 overs
In this group match of the 2021 World Cup, New Zealand managed 155/5 after batting first. India lost a couple of early wickets before a match-winning partnership between Shafali Verma (61 off 48 balls) and Harmanpreet Kaur (36 off 26 balls).
Smriti Mandhana also chipped in with a valuable 19 to help India chase down the target in 19.2 overs.
Batting Performances in Successful High Run Chases
India’s ability to chase down tall T20I targets has been powered by brilliant batting efforts from these key players:
Harmanpreet Kaur – As captain, she has led from the front with crucial knocks against New Zealand, England and Australia. When she fires, chasing seems easier.
Smriti Mandhana – India’s batting mainstay provides aggressive starts regularly alongside Shafali Verma. Her runs upfront set the tempo for mammoth chases.
Shafali Verma – The hard-hitting teenager has scored quick runs against rivals like Australia and New Zealand to seize early momentum.
Jemimah Rodrigues – With her wide range of strokes, Rodrigues keeps the scoreboard ticking in the middle overs to prevent slip in run rate.
Taniya Bhatia – The wicketkeeper has delivered handy cameos down the order to help India overhaul big totals.
Deepti Sharma – Her clean striking abilities in the death overs provides the final thrust to chase down 170+ targets.
Leading Individual Scores in 200+ Chase by India Women
Let’s look at the top individual batting performances while India women successfully chased down targets over 175 runs:
| Batter | Score | Balls | 4s | 6s | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 63 | 49 | 5 | 3 | New Zealand | Auckland | 2019 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 57* | 28 | 8 | 2 | South Africa | Lucknow | 2021 |
| Harmanpreet Kaur | 51 | 37 | 8 | 0 | England | Providence | 2018 |
| Shafali Verma | 61 | 48 | 6 | 4 | New Zealand | Melbourne | 2021 |
| Smriti Mandhana | 55 | 37 | 7 | 2 | New Zealand | Auckland | 2019 |
Twice Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored over 50 runs in high pressure chases against New Zealand and South Africa. Her 63 off 49 balls while chasing 195 against New Zealand in 2019 stands out as one of the finest T20I innings in such situations.
Key Takeaways from Successful Chases
Analyzing India’s highest run chases in T20Is reveals these key patterns:
- Openers Shafali-Mandhana providing quickfire starts in powerplay overs.
- Harmanpreet’s brilliance in anchoring the middle overs and absorbing pressure.
- Jemimah and Taniya providing stability to not lose momentum in the chase.
- Deepti’s late charge in death overs to complete the chase in style.
- Combination of fearless approach and calculated risks during mammoth chases.
- Relentless self-belief to chase down any target successfully.
- Emergence of young power hitters like Shafali Verma and Richa Ghosh.
- Growing experience and maturity of Harmanpreet Kaur as a captain and crisis player.
Comparison to Other Teams’ Best T20I Chases
How does India women’s highest run chases compare to the other top teams?
| Team | Highest Successful Chase | Against | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India Women | 200/3 in 19.4 overs | New Zealand | Auckland | 2019 |
| Australia Women | 173/2 in 18.5 overs | New Zealand | Melbourne | 2021 |
| England Women | 184/4 in 18.1 overs | South Africa | Taunton | 2022 |
| New Zealand Women | 174/3 in 18.5 overs | West Indies | Antigua | 2019 |
The Indian women’s team holds the world record for the highest successful run chase in T20Is with their 200/3 scored in just 19.4 overs against New Zealand in 2019. This signifies the tremendous confidence and fearless approach of the Indian women when chasing targets.
Memorable Chases in Major Tournaments
India’s impressive run chases in major ICC events depict their ability to thrive under pressure situations.
2018 T20 World Cup – 178/3 in 18.1 overs while chasing 177 against England
2020 T20 World Cup – 170/7 in 19.5 overs while chasing 168 against Australia
2021 T20 World Cup – 159/4 in 19.2 overs while chasing 156 against New Zealand
2022 Commonwealth Games – 162/4 in 19 overs while chasing 162 against England
Chasing scores around 160 in global knockout games requires tremendous skills and temperament. India has shown they possess it in abundance.
Conclusion
The growth of the Indian women’s team as an elite T20I unit capable of chasing down any target is remarkable. Backed by young power hitters like Shafali Verma and Jemimah Rodrigues, and led by the seasoned Harmanpreet Kaur, India has developed the right resources to conquer any total.
This has helped them record famous wins over rivals like England, Australia and New Zealand. Going forward, the Indian women will continue to chart even higher and mightier run chases on the back of supreme confidence in their abilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some key questions on highest run chases by the India women’s team:
What is the highest T20I run chase by the Indian women’s cricket team?
The Indian women team’s highest successful run chase in T20Is is 200/3 in 19.4 overs against New Zealand in 2019.
Who was the leading run scorer when India women chased 200 runs?
Captain Harmanpreet Kaur top scored with 63 off 49 balls in India’s highest T20I run chase of 200 against New Zealand.
How many times have India women chased over 175 runs target in T20Is?
The Indian women’s team has successfully chased down 175+ runs target 5 times in T20I matches.
Who hit the most sixes for India in their record T20I run chase?
Harmanpreet Kaur hit the most sixes – 3 in her innings of 63 off 49 balls during India’s chase of 199 against New Zealand.
Which team has India women defeated while chasing 190+ target?
India women have defeated New Zealand twice while chasing targets over 190 runs including their highest chase of 200.
