India’s women’s cricket team created history by making the highest ever score in an One-Day International (ODI) to be scored during the third and last match of the series against Ireland at Rajkot. After the tremendous 370/3 the side created in the previous match, India actually bashed 435/5, which was their best ODI score be it men’s or women’s cricket. The current score is also the fourth-highest total in women’s ODIs, for which New Zealand has held the top three positions. India was the third team to cross the 400-run mark in Women’s ODIs, after New Zealand and Australia.
Dominant Opening Stand Sets The Stage
India batted first, with openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal showing a lesson in batting, which left the Irish bowling vulnerable. Mandhana showed brilliance in reaching a stunning century in 70 balls-the fastest ever for an Indian woman in ODIs. She also brought seven sixes, which happened to be the record for most sixes in an inning by an Indian woman in Women’s ODIs. In the process, she also emulated Harmanpreet Kaur’s career tally of 52 sixes in the format.
Mandhana’s knock of 135 from just 80 balls, with a staggering strike rate of 168.75, saw her reach the personal milestone of 10 ODI centuries. She is the first Indian woman to achieve that. Now she lags behind only Meg Lanning (15) and Suzie Bates (13) in all-time list. Her dismissal after a failed lap shot attempt by Orla Prendergast ended the sensation 233 run opening partnership with Pratika, which goes down as the third highest India’s stand for any wicket in Women’s ODIs.
Pratika Rawal’s First Century Becomes Historic
While Mandhana’s exit only temporarily stemmed the tide of Ireland’s batting woes, Pratika Rawal continued her fine innings. Having given an inkling of her promise with three half-centuries in her first five ODIs, she went on to score her first hundred in this match. Rawal did not stop at that, converting it into a mammoth 154 off 129 balls, which included 20 boundaries and a six. Her composed yet commanding knock ensured India maintained their dominance throughout the innings.
Richa Ghosh Adds the Finishing Touch
Batter no. 3, Richa Ghosh took full advantage of the solid start by the openers. Her 59 of 42 deliveries added crucial run during the death overs propelled India’s score to a history-making 435/5.
