As the second season of the Women’s Premier League, the financially endowed league, commenced with riveting and nail-biting encounters among five teams across India, fans have already been treated to some exhilarating half-centuries by the women cricketers.
One of the most noteworthy half-centuries of the ongoing WPL was smashed by Kiran Navgire as the UP Warrioz opening batter notched the fifth-fastest half-century in WPL history on Wednesday. After experiencing a slump in WPL 2023 and enduring poor form in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy, Navgire’s half-century knock came as a source of relief.
As we reflect on the fastest fifties in WPL history, let’s delve into the top five players who have etched their names into the league’s record books with their lightning-quick half-century feats.
#5 Kiran Navgire (25 balls vs MI)
Kiran Navgire scored the fastest fifty in WPL 2024
In the preceding two encounters against Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Capitals Kiran Navgire, batting in the middle order, faced setbacks on both occasions. However, during Wednesday’s match against Mumbai Indians at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, UPW’s, Vrinda Dinesh, sustained a shoulder injury while fielding and did not take her turn to bat in the 162-run chase.
Navgire had to be promoted in the lineup to substitute for Vrinda and immediately took charge against the MI bowlers, stepping into the opening slot perfectly. In the pursuit of 162 runs, the 29-year-old Navgire secured her second half-century in the WPL, achieving this milestone in just 25 balls.
By scoring 50 runs off 25 balls, Navgire became the fifth-fastest player overall and the third-fastest Indian player to achieve a half-century in WPL history. With her rapid innings, UPW clinched their first victory of the season after suffering two consecutive losses.
However, on the first delivery of the 10th over, Navgire attempted an aggressive stroke but failed to make contact with the ball, resulting in her being stumped by Yashika Bhatia. Nevertheless, her remarkable innings of 57 runs off 31 balls, inclusive of 6 fours and 4 sixes, at a strike rate of 183.87, steered UPW to victory, earning them two crucial points.
#4 Harmanpreet Kaur (22 balls vs GG)
Last year at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai, Harmanpreet Kaur, the Captain of Defending Champions Mumbai Indians, electrified the WPL stage with a resilient performance in the opening match against Gujrat Giants. In the inaugural WPL match, MI was asked to bat first.
When Harmanpreet came to bat, she faced a challenging situation with two wickets down at 69 runs in nearly 9 overs. Assessing the pitch conditions, she swiftly broke free and achieved the first fifty of the WPL in no time.
What adds to the brilliance is that Harmanpreet became the fourth-fastest player in WPL history to reach fifty, accomplishing it in just 22 deliveries. She continued her impactful innings, contributing 15 more runs before being dismissed by Sneh Rana on the last ball of the 17th over, with MI cruising at 166.
Harmanpreet’s outstanding performance earned her the Player of the Match trophy, as she hammered 65 runs off 30 balls at an impressive strike rate of 216.67. Her innings, studded with 14 fours, propelled MI to a commanding total of 207 for 5, securing a convincing 143-run victory as GG was bundled out for 64.
#3 Sophie Devine (20 balls vs GG)
Devine was the fifth-highest overseas run-getter in WPL 2023
Sophie Devine, the opening batter for Royal Challengers Bangalore delivered one of the most memorable knocks of the WPL 2023 against GG in the penultimate league match for both teams last year. In a thrilling chase of 189 runs in 20 overs, RCB accomplished the task in just 15.3 overs, primarily fueled by Devine’s remarkable performance at Mumbai’s Brabourne Stadium.
Despite her heroics, Devine’s stellar innings came later in the tournament when RCB found themselves on the brink of elimination. Nonetheless, her match-winning display was nothing short of significant as RCB clinched their second victory of the season by a resounding 8-wicket margin.
With a blistering strike rate of 275, Devine’s 36-ball masterclass comprised an impressive array of 9 fours and 8 maximums, captivating the hearts of both fans and adversaries alike. Surging to her fifty in a mere 20 deliveries, the Kiwi sensation etched her name as the third-fastest overall and the second-fastest overseas player to achieve a half-century in the WPL.
Following her milestone, Devine unleashed a whirlwind assault, amassing an additional 49 runs in just 16 deliveries, further solidifying her reputation as a force to be reckoned with. However, the ecstasy of victory was tinged with a touch of melancholy as Devine’s valiant effort was halted agonisingly close to a century, falling just one run short on the second last delivery of the 12th over.
#2 Shafali Varma (19 balls vs GG)
DC’s dynamic opener Shafali Varma displayed an onslaught against GG in 2023 at DY Patil Stadium, notching her second WPL fifty in a mere 19 balls, securing the title of the second fastest overall and the fastest Indian to achieve this feat in the WPL.
Shafali, then 19, exhibited no mercy towards GG’s bowlers, with GG failing to secure a single wicket. In the pursuit of a below-par target of 106 runs, Shafali’s explosive innings propelled DC to chase it down in just 7.1 overs.
Finishing unbeaten with a score of 76 runs off 28 balls, Shafali’s innings included 10 fours and 5 sixes, boasting a lightning strike rate of 271.43. DC triumphed with a 10-wicket victory, securing their third win of the season.