India's women's cricket team created history by being the third team in the world to score over 400 runs in a single One-Day International (ODI) match. They achieved this incredible milestone on January 15 in a game against Ireland, scoring a massive 435 runs. This total is the fourth-highest ever in women’s ODI cricket. It also broke their own previous record of 370 runs, which they had set just three days earlier in another match against Ireland.
Mandhana and Rawal steal the show
The Indian team’s amazing performance was led by Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, who both scored centuries. Smriti Mandhana, acting as captain because Harmanpreet Kaur was unavailable, made history by scoring the fastest hundred by an Indian woman in ODIs, taking just 70 balls. She continued to play a brilliant innings, scoring 135 runs from 80 balls, including 12 fours and 7 sixes.
Pratika Rawal, a 24-year-old psychology student, was playing only her second ODI series. She scored her first-ever century in this match and turned it into a big score of 154 runs from 129 balls, hitting 20 fours and one six. Smriti and Pratika had an outstanding partnership of 233 runs for the first wicket. This is the third-best opening partnership in Indian women’s ODI cricket history.
India beats men's ODI record
India’s total of 435 also broke the men’s ODI record of 418, achieved against the West Indies in 2011. The Indian innings saw contributions from other players as well, with Richa Ghosh adding 59 runs off 42 balls.
India's dominance highlighted Ireland's bowling issues, as their extras accounted for 29 runs. Despite their best efforts, Ireland couldn’t keep India from reaching this milestone.