Prema Rawat sets new women’s T20 record with 14-ball fifty in Pune

Prema Rawat recorded the fastest fifty in women's T20 cricket while playing for Uttarakhand against Hyderabad at the MCA Cricket Stadium in Gahunje, Pune in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy on Monday, November 2. She reached a half-century in 14 balls, eclipsing the previous 15-ball benchmark held by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana.

Rawat finished unbeaten on 50 from 14 deliveries, striking six fours and four sixes at a strike rate of 357.14. Fatima Sana had established the 15-ball mark in May 2026 with a fifty against Zimbabwe in Karachi; that effort had earlier broken the Women's T20 International 18-ball record previously shared by Sophie Devine, Phoebe Litchfield and Richa Ghosh and equalled the overall women's T20 record held by Marie Kelly and Laura Harris.

Better known as a leg-spinner, Rawat was selected in India's 2026 Women's T20 World Cup squad after Shreyanka Patil was ruled out with an ankle injury. She earned that call-up following performances for India A, taking eight wickets in five matches during the victorious Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars campaign and seven wickets in three T20 matches on India A's 2025 tour of Australia.

Rawat made her senior international debut in 2026 and has appeared in seven T20Is for India, claiming seven wickets; her best international figures are 3/9 against Pakistan in the Women's Asia Cup. Her batting display in Pune provided a new facet to a player previously noted primarily for her bowling.

Uttarakhand's total was constructed around a 72-run opening stand between Raghvi Bist and Kareena; Kareena fell for 19 while Raghvi top-scored with 72. Bist then added 57 for the second wicket with Neelam Bhradwaj before Rawat's late assault helped Uttarakhand post 187 for two after electing to bat.

Hyderabad were unable to chase the target, finishing on 98 for eight in their allotted 20 overs and handing Uttarakhand an 89-run win. Rawat was named Player of the Match for her contributions with the bat and ball.

Rawat also made an impact with her off-spin, returning figures of 4-0-12-2 and dismissing Gugulothu Kavyashree and Nalla Kranthi Reddy. Her record-breaking fifty against Hyderabad has added another dimension to her game, underlining her ability to make an impact with both bat and ball.