Smriti Mandhana hit five boundaries inside the first three overs and added five more before the end of the Powerplay to race to a 23-ball half-century in the Commonwealth Games semi-final against England on Saturday, the fastest by an Indian women's cricketer.

Opting to bat first, India were off to a blazing start thanks to Mandhana. She hit part-timer Alice Capsey for back-to-back fours in the second over before hitting a couple more off Katherine Brunt in the third.

When Issy Wong came into the attack, Mandhana walked down to muscle a pull over deep mid-wicket for her first six in the match. Her half-century came up in the last over of the powerplay, off a mere 23 balls.

The fifty is the fastest by an India women's player in T20Is, beating her own record of a 24-ball fifty against New Zealand in 2019. She had also hit another half-century off 25 balls against England in 2018 in Mumbai.

Fastest fifties by India women in T20Is

The record for the fastest fifty in women's T20Is is held by Sophie Devine, who made an 18-ball half-century against India in 2015.

Mandhana was eventually dismissed in the ninth over for a 32-ball 61, a stunning innings that included eight fours and three sixes.

Her heroics helped India claim a narrow four-run triumph over England and Mandhana now has her sights set on winning a gold medal against Australia on Sunday.

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