India beat UAE convincingly to reach the semi-final of the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 on Sunday, 21 July. Sent to bat first India posted a daunting 201-run total, courtesy of Harmanpreet Kaur and Richa Ghosh who scored fifties. With the ball, India did well and restricted UAE to 123/7 in 20 overs. Young wicketkeeper batter Richa Ghosh was awarded the player of the match for her quickfire 64* off just 29 balls.

After the match, Richa applauded Harmanpreet Kaur for her guidance and said that she had been practising with the bat to deliver a performance like this as well. Richa hit 12 fours and one six in her innings and remained unbeaten at 64 off just 29 balls.

“Really happy. When I’m playing with Harry di, she guides me about how the ball is coming on. When the opportunity comes to me, I want to just deliver what I know and what I’m practicing. First four from the cover drive was the favourite moment. Yeah I’m feeling good,” Richa said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Meanwhile, India women’s team’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur applauded the emphatic win over the UAE in the Women’s Asia Cup 2024 match as well. However, Harmanpreet recalled her memorable knock of 171* runs against Australia in the semi-final of the Women’s ODI World Cup in 2017. On July 20, 7 years ago, her heroic knock helped India reach the final of the tournament after 2005 as well.

“Special innings for me (anniversary of her knock against Australia). Great memory overall whenever we talk women’s cricket in India. It always gives me positive vibes,” Harmanpreet Kaur told the broadcaster as she recalled the innings and how she still takes inspiration from it. “Yeah I’m absolutely fine (she was off the field towards the end). Great feeling. When Jemi and I were batting, we spoke that we had to run hard rather than just going for risky shots. Our focus was on getting 7-8 runs per over. When Richa came, I just told her to keep watching the ball and see how wicket is playing. She batted beautifully. My role was just to stay on the pitch and keep rotating strike. Whenever loose balls come, convert them to the boundary. Credit to Richa. Because of her we reached the target.”