Smriti Mandhana Smashes 70-ball Century As India Women Seal 304 Run Victory Over Ireland
Smriti Mandhana Smashes 70-ball Century As India Women Seal 304 Run Victory Over Ireland, Mandhana’s 10th ODI century came off just 70 deliveries as the left-hander surpassed Harmanpreet Kaur’s 87-ball hundred mark against South Africa last year. It also set the tone for India breaching the 400-run mark for the first time, joining Australia and New Zealand in that elite list.
India Women’s Cricket Team Creates History with Record-Breaking ODI Win Over Ireland
The Indian women’s cricket team, led by the sensational Smriti Mandhana, rewrote the record books as they crushed Ireland by a staggering 304 runs in the third ODI on Wednesday.
India Posts Record-Breaking Total
Setting a daunting target of 436, India recorded their highest-ever ODI total, surpassing their men’s team’s best of 418/5 against West Indies in 2011. Opening batters Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal powered India’s innings with an incredible 233-run stand in just 26.4 overs.
- Smriti Mandhana: 135 runs off 80 balls (12 fours, 7 sixes)
- Pratika Rawal: 154 runs off 129 balls (20 fours, 1 six)
Mandhana’s blistering knock, her 10th ODI century, came off just 70 deliveries, breaking the previous fastest century record for India women.
Bowling Domination Seals the Victory
India’s spinners, led by Tanuja Kanwar (2/31) and Deepti Sharma (3/27), dismantled the Irish batting lineup, bundling them out for just 131 runs in 31.4 overs.
- Orla Prendergast (36) and Sarah Forbes (41) provided resistance with a 64-run partnership, but their efforts weren’t enough to counter India’s dominance.
- India claimed the last seven Irish wickets for just 33 runs, underscoring their complete control over the match.
Record-Breaking Highlights:
- Largest ODI Victory (by runs): India’s 304-run win eclipsed their previous record of 249 runs, also against Ireland in 2017.
- First 400+ Total in Women’s ODIs for India: India joined the elite group of teams, including Australia and New Zealand, to achieve this milestone.
- Fastest Century by an Indian Woman: Smriti Mandhana’s 70-ball century surpassed Harmanpreet Kaur’s previous best of 87 balls.
- Fourth Indian Pair with a 200-Run Partnership in Women’s ODIs: Mandhana and Rawal’s 233-run stand entered the record books, following iconic Indian partnerships.
Smriti Mandhana: The Star Performer
Mandhana showcased her trademark aggression, combining power and precision to dominate the Irish bowlers. From exquisite drives to towering sixes, she left no stone unturned in her pursuit of runs.
- Her clean strikes over the ‘V’ and relentless boundaries kept the scoreboard ticking at a brisk pace.
- Mandhana’s partnership with Rawal laid the foundation for India’s massive total, with both players complementing each other’s style seamlessly.
A Team Effort
The contributions extended beyond the openers. Richa Ghosh, promoted to No. 3, delivered a fiery 37-ball 50, her fifth ODI half-century. The bowlers capitalized on the massive total, ensuring a historic finish.
India’s record-breaking performance against Ireland highlights the growing prowess of the women’s cricket team. With such achievements, the Indian women’s team continues to inspire a new generation of cricket fans and establish themselves as a formidable force in international cricket.
