India delivered a record-breaking performance in Rajkot, setting their highest-ever ODI total of 435/5, which is also the fourth-highest total in women’s ODIs. Smriti Mandhana spearheaded the effort with an explosive 135 off 80 balls, achieving the fastest ODI century by an Indian batter in just 70 balls.
She broke Harmanpreet Kaur’s record by 17 balls and matched her record for most sixes in an innings with seven.
Mandhana’s opening partner, Pratika Rawal, scored her maiden ODI century and went on to compile a stunning 154 off 129 balls. Only two Indian batters, Deepti Sharma (188) and Harmanpreet (171*), have recorded higher individual scores in women’s ODIs.
Together, Mandhana and Rawal stitched a colossal 233-run opening partnership, the third-highest opening stand for India in ODIs.
The run-fest began in the third over, with Rawal hitting three consecutive fours. By the sixth over, she had raced to 29 off 25, but Mandhana took time to settle.
Her innings gained momentum in the seventh over when a missed stumping gave her a reprieve on 12. Mandhana capitalized, unleashing a flurry of boundaries, including two sixes and a four off Arlene Kelly.
The pair brought up India’s hundred in the 13th over, marking their fourth century stand in just six innings as opening partners. Mandhana reached her half-century in 39 balls, and Rawal followed with a fifty off 52 deliveries. Mandhana’s aggressive stroke play saw her outpace Rawal, reaching her century while her partner was still on 72.
Mandhana eventually fell attempting a scoop, but the onslaught continued with Richa Ghosh smashing 59 off 42 balls at No. 3. She and Rawal added 104 runs in just 12 overs. Rawal accelerated after reaching her century, adding 54 off her next 29 balls to take her ODI run tally to 444—the highest ever by a batter in her first six innings.
With Rawal and Ghosh at the crease, India breached the 400-run mark with four overs to spare and added more runs to seal a historic day for women’s cricket. Ireland’s bowlers struggled with accuracy and fielding, offering little resistance against India’s dominance.
Updated on 15th January, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.