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India achieved a historic feat in Rajkot, posting their highest-ever ODI total of 435/5, surpassing their previous best of 370/5 from the last match. This explosive performance helped them register a massive 304-run victory over Ireland in the third and final match of the series, completing a 3-0 whitewash. India’s remarkable win also marked their […]
India achieved a historic feat in Rajkot, posting their highest-ever ODI total of 435/5, surpassing their previous best of 370/5 from the last match. This explosive performance helped them register a massive 304-run victory over Ireland in the third and final match of the series, completing a 3-0 whitewash.
India’s remarkable win also marked their biggest-ever margin of victory in ODIs, breaking their previous record of a 249-run win against Ireland in 2017. With 435/5, India not only set a new team record but also secured the fourth-highest total in women’s ODI history.
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Stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana led from the front with a record-breaking performance, scoring the fastest ODI century by an India batter. She reached her hundred in just 70 balls, surpassing Harmanpreet Kaur’s previous record by 17 balls. Mandhana finished with a blistering 135 off 80 balls, which included 12 fours and seven sixes. Her opening partner, Pratika Rawal, also played a starring role, scoring her maiden ODI hundred in 100 balls. Rawal went on to make 154 off 129, becoming only the third Indian woman to surpass 150 runs in an ODI, behind Deepti Sharma (188) and Harmanpreet Kaur (171*).
The dynamic duo of Mandhana and Rawal added a massive 233 runs for the first wicket, the third-highest opening stand for India in ODIs. Their aggressive approach had the floodgates open early, with Rawal hitting Orla Prendergast for three boundaries in the third over. By the end of the sixth over, she had already accumulated 29 off 25 balls, with the help of six fours, while Mandhana had not yet fully settled into her rhythm.
Mandhana, who had a quiet start, was given a life in the seventh over when wicketkeeper Christina Coulter Reilly failed to collect an outside edge. At that point, Mandhana was on 12 off 13 balls but soon took charge, smashing two fours off Arlene Kelly in the same over. In Kelly’s next over, Mandhana launched two sixes and a four, putting the pressure back on the Irish bowlers. Together, Mandhana and Rawal brought up India’s hundred in the 13th over, marking their fourth century stand in just six innings as an opening pair.
Smriti Mandhana reached her fifty off just 39 balls, while Pratika Rawal brought up her half-century off 52 balls, marking her fourth 50-plus score in six ODIs. Mandhana’s batting was on another level, turning the match into more of a practice session than a competitive contest as she relentlessly dispatched balls to the boundary. Ireland’s wayward bowling and poor fielding further aided her dominance, allowing her to leave Rawal far behind in the chase for runs. By the time Mandhana reached her hundred off just 70 balls, Rawal was on 72 from 69 balls, showcasing Mandhana’s complete control over the innings.
Mandhana was eventually dismissed while trying to clear short fine leg off Orla Prendergast, but Ireland’s respite was short-lived. Richa Ghosh, promoted to No. 3, continued the onslaught with a quickfire 59 off 42 balls, adding 104 runs with Rawal in just 12 overs. Rawal, having reached her century, unleashed another aggressive spree, scoring 54 off the next 29 balls. Her performance helped her accumulate 444 runs in her first six ODIs, the most by any batter in their first six innings, further cementing her impressive start to her international career.
By this point, the focus had shifted to whether India could reach 400, a milestone they achieved with four overs to spare, continuing to accumulate runs thereafter. With Renuka Singh rested, Titas Sadhu and Sayali Satghare opened the bowling for India. While both picked up a wicket each with the new ball, they also allowed 15 extras in the first seven overs. India’s fielding was equally sloppy, with Smriti Mandhana dropping a skier from Sarah Forbes off Deepti Sharma at extra cover, contributing to a shaky start.
Despite the early mistakes, Forbes and Orla Prendergast capitalized on India’s errors, guiding Ireland to a solid 85 for 2 after 14 overs. Tanuja Kanwar broke the 64-run partnership by dismissing Prendergast, who tried to steer the ball to deep third but was bowled. This marked Kanwar’s first ODI wicket. Just three overs later, Forbes was run out while attempting a quick single, a critical blow to Ireland’s chase.
From 100 for 3, Ireland’s innings quickly unraveled as they were dismissed for just 131. Deepti Sharma was the standout bowler for India, taking 3 for 27, while Kanwar supported well with 2 for 31. Two Irish batters were also run out, underscoring India’s superior fielding and tightening the noose around the opposition, securing an emphatic victory.
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