Kiran Navgire Sets New Record with Fastest Century in Women's T20 Cricket

Historic Achievement in Women's T20 Cricket

Kiran Navgire, the explosive opener from Maharashtra and India, has made history by scoring the fastest century in women's T20 cricket. During the Women's T20 Trophy held on Friday, she achieved this remarkable feat in just 34 balls, finishing her innings with an impressive total of 106 runs off 35 balls. This outstanding performance led Maharashtra to a decisive victory over Punjab in Nagpur, with eight overs to spare, as reported by ESPNcricinfo.

Breaking Previous Records

Navgire's innings surpassed the previous record set by New Zealand's Sophie Devine, who scored a century in 36 balls for Wellington against Otago in January 2021. With a phenomenal strike rate of 302.86, Navgire's performance is now the only women's T20 century recorded at a strike rate exceeding 300.

Dominance Over Punjab's Bowlers

Navgire showcased her dominance by dismantling Punjab's bowling attack. In a remarkable 103-run partnership for the second wicket, her teammate Mukta Magre contributed only six runs, while Navgire struck 14 fours and seven sixes. Maharashtra's chase of 113 runs was completed in just eight overs, marking the lowest team total in women's T20 history to include an individual century, breaking the previous record of 123 runs set in a CSA T20 match.

Navgire's Rise to Prominence

Originating from Mire in the Solapur district of Maharashtra, Navgire gained attention during the 2022 Women's T20 Trophy while playing for Nagaland, where she hit 35 sixes throughout the tournament. She also made history as the first Indian woman to score over 150 runs in a T20 match, achieving 162 runs off 76 balls against Arunachal Pradesh.

Career Highlights

Navgire has expressed admiration for MS Dhoni and credits her strength to her childhood experiences on her family's farm, along with her involvement in various sports. She made her T20I debut for India against England in Chester-le-Street in 2022 but has not played for the national team since the Women's Asia Cup later that year. In her six T20I matches, she has batted four times, accumulating 17 runs off 19 balls, including one not-out.

In the Women's Premier League (WPL), Navgire has been a significant player for the UP Warriorz. Over three seasons, she has scored 419 runs in 24 innings at a strike rate of 140.13, although her batting average remains below 18.