IND W vs AUS W | Twitter in splits as Richa Ghosh rides emotional rollercoaster after getting out on no-ball

‌With a flat deck on offer at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur opted to bat first, without any hesitation, in the first ODI. The Indian openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal got the team to a good start, putting 114 runs inside 22 overs in the first international game at New Chandigarh.

The top three batters, including Harleen Deol, all got half-centuries, but a lack of significant contributions from the middle order meant the home side slipped from 142/1 to 207/4. Richa Ghosh joined Jemimah Rodrigues in the middle, with the pair having the dual responsibility of avoiding a collapse and taking India to a formidable total with 10 overs remaining.

Australian skipper Alyssa Healy introduced medium pacer Tahlia McGrath in the 43rd over, with Richa trying to take her on. Off the fourth delivery, the wicketkeeper-batter went for a full blooded pull only to find the ball safely in the hands of the fielder at backward square leg.

Just as she started her walk back, the saving beep sounded as McGrath had overstepped with Jemimah quickly signalling a no-ball and calling her teammate back. The agony and frustration made way to relief and smile as Richa took guard again for the free hit. It was the exact opposite in the Aussie camp as a stunning silence followed jubilations and joyous cheers.

To add insult to injury, Richa smashed the free hit from the Aussie vice-captain for a six down the ground. Just as she recovered from her horrors, another beep sound followed, with the resulting free hit going for a four.

Twitter was in splits as Richa was living her second life to the fullest and haunted the Aussies.