Dehradun: Uttarakhand’s talented women cricketer and all-rounder Prema Rawat has created history in world cricket with her explosive batting in the Senior Women’s T20 Trophy. In a match against Hyderabad, Prema Rawat completed her half-century in just 14 balls, setting a world record for the fastest fifty in women’s cricket. She surpassed the previous record held by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who had scored a half-century in 15 balls.
During her historic innings, Prema smashed six fours and four sixes, scoring an unbeaten 50 at a staggering strike rate of 357.14. She also showcased her bowling prowess with her leg-spin, claiming two crucial wickets while conceding just 12 runs in her four overs.
The journey of 24-year-old Prema Rawat to this remarkable achievement has been one of determination and perseverance. Hailing from a remote rural area of Uttarakhand, Prema has received significant support from the Cricket Association of Uttarakhand (CAU) in honing her talent. CAU recognised her potential at an early stage and provided her with all possible facilities, modern coaching and proper guidance to help her develop as a cricketer.
CAU’s commitment to identifying and nurturing talent from remote regions of Uttarakhand has played a significant role in helping players like Prema establish themselves at the national and international levels. The recently organised Uttarakhand Premier League (UPL) has also played an important role in her career. The valuable experience and match exposure gained through the tournament have helped her deliver match-winning performances for Uttarakhand.
Prema has represented the Indian senior women’s national team in seven T20 Internationals. She has also been part of the India A setup and, most recently, the Indian squad for the Women’s T20 World Cup. Additionally, she represents Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL).
Congratulating Prema Rawat on her historic achievement, former BCCI Vice-President and Cricket Association of Uttarakhand Secretary Mahim Verma lauded her exceptional performance.
Praising Prema, Mahim Verma said, “The achievement of Prema Rawat is a matter of immense pride not only for Uttarakhand but for the entire country. Scoring a record-breaking half-century in just 14 balls and making an impact with both bat and ball is a testament to her extraordinary talent and hard work. Prema is an exceptionally gifted cricketer who has risen from a remote region to make her mark on the global stage.
“The Cricket Association of Uttarakhand has always been committed to identifying and nurturing young talent. Her outstanding performances in the recently concluded UPL made it evident that she was ready for bigger challenges. I am confident that Prema will continue to set new records and deliver exceptional performances for the Indian team in the years to come.”
