Indian leg-spinner Prema Rawat smashed the fastest fifty in women's T20 cricket history, reaching her fifty off just 14 balls in the Senior Women's T20 Trophy match for Uttarakhand against Hyderabad at MCA Cricket Stadium in Gahunje on November 2, 2026. The 24-year-old leg-spinner finished unbeaten and struck at a rate of 357.14, smashing four sixes and six fours in the process.

The innings erased the previous world record of 15 balls held by Pakistan captain Fatima Sana, who had set that mark against Zimbabwe in Karachi in May 2026. Rawat's knock powered Uttarakhand to a commanding total of 187 in their first innings after they opted to bat. 

Hyderabad were bowled out for 98 in 20 overs in reply, losing by 89 runs. Rawat's contribution with the ball was equally telling. Bowling her four overs, she returned figures of 2 for 12. She was named Player of the Match for her all-round display.

The record-breaking performance also carries broader significance for Rawat's international career. She earned a place in India's Women's T20 World Cup squad in 2026 after Shreyanka Patil was ruled out with an ankle injury. Rawat had previously represented India A in the Women's Asia Cup Rising Stars campaign, where she claimed 8 wickets across 5 matches as India went through the tournament unbeaten.

Why does Rawat's record stand apart from earlier fastest fifties?

Before Fatima Sana set the 15-ball benchmark against Zimbabwe in Karachi in May 2026, the record in Women's T20 Internationals had been jointly held at 18 balls by Sophie Devine of New Zealand, Australia's Phoebe Litchfield, India's Richa Ghosh and New Zealand's Sophie Devine. Marie Kelly and Laura Harris had also equalled the 15-ball mark at the domestic level before Rawat's 14-ball effort surpassed all of them.

Rawat's 14-ball fifty is now the fastest in women's T20 cricket across both international and domestic competitions, making it a standalone world record. The strike rate of 357.14 underlines the sheer pace at which she reached the milestone, with her boundary count of four sixes and six fours accounting for 48 of her 50 runs.

What is Prema Rawat's international record heading into the T20 World Cup?

Rawat made her senior international debut for India in 2026 and has since featured in seven T20Is, picking up 7 wickets across those appearances. Her best bowling figures at international level are 3 for 9, recorded against Pakistan Women in the Asia Cup.

During India's tour of Australia in 2025, Rawat took 7 wickets across three T20 matches while representing India A, establishing herself as a consistent wicket-taker before her senior call-up.