Rajkot, Jan 15 (UNI) Skipper Smriti Mandhana led from the front as India hammered 400 runs for
the first time in an ODI innings against Ireland on Wednesday.
In doing so, India have become only the third team to do so in Women’s ODI history. Previously
New Zealand have scored more than 400 in an ODI innings four times – including the highest
score of 491/4 against Ireland back in 2018. Australia scored 412 against Denmark back in 1997.
Leading 2-0 in the three-match series, openers Mandhana (135) and Pratika Rawal (154) registered tons to propel the team total past the elusive mark.
Wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh, then blazed a quickfire half-century as India pushed hard in the death overs.
This innings comes only a game after India posted their highest-ever total in Women’s ODIs – 370/5.
Opening up on the milestone effort from the team, Rawal said, "There was not much going on in my mind, we wanted to cross 400 and we managed to post around 430, so that’s really good.
Rawal's 154 - her maiden international ton - is now the third-highest total by an Indian batter in Women's ODIs after Deepti Sharma's 188 and Harmanpreet Kaur's 171 not out.
The 24-year-old forged a 233-run stand alongside Mandhana for the opening wicket.
"I was a bit slow when I was in my 70s, that 20-30 runs came slow but I covered it up later on,"
Rawal conceded before crediting the Indian skipper on revving up the scoring rate at the other
end.
"It’s always a treat to watch her (Smriti Mandhana), she hit her shots with immense power, I don’t mind taking a backseat," she added.
UNI BM