Playing a big role in India’s dominant performance against West Indies, India’s woman-cricketer Smriti Mandhana has achieved a historic milestone by scoring a brilliant 91-run knock.
In addition to her impactful innings, Smriti emerged as the highest run-scorer in a calendar year in women’s international cricket by amassing a total of 1,602 runs in the year 2024, till now.
The record for scoring the maximum runs in women’s international cricket was previously held by South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who has scored 1,593 runs earlier this year.
India got off to a strong start, with Mandhana and Pratika Rawal putting together a solid 110-run opening partnership in 23.2 overs.
The first ODI between India and West Indies women in Baroda saw West Indies captain Hayley Matthews opting to bowl first after winning the toss. India capitalized on the opportunity, posting an impressive total of 314/9 in 50 overs. Smriti led the charge with a brilliant 91-run knock. She narrowly missed out on a century but played a big role in India’s dominant performance.
India got off to a strong start, with Mandhana and Pratika Rawal putting together a solid 110-run opening partnership in 23.2 overs. Rawal contributed a steady 40 off 69 balls. Harleen Deol added valuable runs in the middle order, scoring 44 off 50 deliveries, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with a quickfire 34 off 23 balls. In the closing overs, Richa Ghosh smashed a rapid 26 off 13 balls, supported by Deepti Sharma’s 14 off 12 deliveries, giving India a powerful finish.
West Indies’ Jada James was the standout bowler, claiming an impressive 5 wickets. Hayley Matthews picked up 2 wickets, and Deandra Dottin took one.
India vs West Indies 1st ODI – Playing Eleven Players are: Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Richa Ghosh (wk), Deepti Sharma, Saima Thakor, Titas Sadhu, Priya Mishra, Renuka Thakur Singh.
West Indies playing 11: Hayley Matthews (c), Qiana Joseph, Shemaine Campbelle (wk), Deandra Dottin, Rashada Williams, Zaida James, Shabika Gajnabi, Aaliyah Alleyne, Shamilia Connell, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack
Thus, Smriti Mandhana created a world record during the first ODI against West Indies women’s cricket team. Mandhana scored a brilliant 91 off 102 balls.
Smriti and Pratika also ended India’s 6-year long wait by putting on the first 100-run partnership for the opening wicket since 2018. Pratika, who became India’s 150th ODI player, missed out on her half-century and departed for 40 off 69.
In fact, Team India maintained their dominant form against the West Indies with a resounding 211-run victory in the ODI series opener at Baroda, marking their second-largest win in the format. After being sent in to bat, India capitalized on a solid start provided by Smriti Mandhana and debutant Pratika Rawal.
For this ‘West Indies women tour of India, Indian women scored 314/9; whereas, West Indies women could score only 103. Thus, Indian women won by 211 runs. Renuka Singh is declared Player of the Match for making five players out by giving only 29 runs (5/29).
Thus, Renuka and Smriti demoted West Indies to record loss. The hosts dominated right from start to finish despite not batting to full potential. Renuka Singh’s 5 for 29 are her best figures in Women’s ODIs. This first of three ODIs between India and West Indies was a thoroughly one-sided fare. The hosts dominated from start to finish both in batting and bowling. The true architects of the win remained Smriti, who top scored with 91, and Renuka.
Now, India will have to look back at their batting performance with mixed emotions despite the massive victory margin. For the first half of their innings, they appeared to be stuck in second gear, with that safety-first approach that has troubled them in ODIs lately yet again taking precedence despite Mandhana looking in sparkling form, like she has in the format all through the year. The caution at the start was largely down to a nervous debutant – Pratika Rawal. However, Smriti continued her splendid form. Rawal made 40 in a 110-run opening stand but was aided by plenty of luck along the way.
Mandhana brought up her half-century off 62 balls, her 28th in ODIs, and shifted gears to sweep and drive imperiously, but Harleen Deol’s struggles forced her into attempting bold strokes, one of which had her lbw.
India could’ve scored a lot more if not for a series of rash shots towards the end that brought Zaida James, the young left-arm spinner, a maiden five-for ODIs. That, as it turned out was one of the few positives for West Indies. They had no answers to Renuka’s tricky in-duckers that kept missing.
The effect of Renuka’s spell has a mesmeric effect on the others too. Titas Sadhu picked up her first ODI wicket and young leg-spinner Priya Mishra delivered 4.2 crafty overs for two wickets.
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Commencing teaching in his early twenties, Prof Aggarwal has diverse experience of great tenure in the top institutions not only as an educationist, administrator, editor, author but also promoting youth and its achievements through the nicest possible content framing. A revolutionary to the core, he is also keen to address the society around him for its betterment and growth on positive notes while imbibing the true team spirit the work force along with.
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