Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal Power India to Record-Breaking ODI Triumph

India produced a masterclass in Rajkot as they broke all records and made a memorable third ODI against Ireland on 15 January, 2025. Blistering centuries by Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal powered India to 435 for 5, the highest ODI total ever scored and it was followed up with a stranglehold in bowling that took the game home by 304 runs, India's biggest ever win in ODIs.

Historic Batting Performance

It was left to the openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal to open the day nicely with as many as 233 runs for the opening wicket, making it the third best opening stand India has so far made in the women's ODIs. This paved the way for the great total the team scored. Rawal started well and hammered three boundaries off Orla Prendergast in the third over. She was at 29 off 25 balls with six boundaries by the end of the sixth over.

Mandhana, who took a few overs to settle soon got into the rhythm. An early reprieve in the seventh over when wicketkeeper Christina Coulter Reilly missed a catching opportunity proved costly for Ireland. Mandhana changed her gear in that over and clubbed two fours off Arlene Kelly to follow it up by hitting two sixes and one four in her next over. Openers scored hundred for India by the 13th over, which marks their fourth successive century partnership from just six matches together.

Knock by Smriti Mandhana

Mandhana remained attacking thereafter as well after reaching her half-century off 39 balls. It was an innings of daring stroke play as she completed her century in only 70 balls, becoming the fastest Indian to do so in ODI cricket. Her 135 off 80 balls consisted of 12 fours and seven sixes, leaving the opposition bowlers searching for answers.

Pratika Rawal's Maiden Century

Although Mandhana's innings was watched intently, it was no less of a spectacle from Rawal, who played composed yet aggressive cricket. She scored her first ODI hundred off 100 balls and from there she continued to hit 154 off 129 balls-the third-highest individual score for an Indian batter in women's ODIs. Once she passed the three-figure mark, she picked up the rate, scoring 54 off her next 29 balls. Her innings took her tally to 444 runs in just six innings, the most by any batter at this stage of her ODI career.

Finishing Touches and a Mammoth Total

Once Mandhana was sent back, Richa Ghosh came in at No. 3 and added 59 off 42 balls for a quick-fire 104-run stand with Rawal. India crossed the 400-run mark easily and eventually finished the match with four overs to spare, scoring 435 for 5-the fourth-highest total in women's ODIs worldwide.

Ireland's Agony and India's Bowlers' Glory

India's bowling side, led by Deepti Sharma and Tanuja Kanwar, complemented the batting effort with a clinical performance. Although new-ball bowlers Titas Sadhu and Sayali Satghare conceded 15 extras in the first seven overs, they could make early breakthroughs. Kanwar dismissed Prendergast for 36, breaking a 64-run partnership with Sarah Forbes.

Forbes and Prendergast had stabilized Ireland's innings and had taken it to 85 for 2 by the 14th over. However, Kanwar's disciplined bowling and a sharp run-out broke Forbes' resistance. Ireland's middle and lower order collapsed losing their last seven wickets for just 31 runs. With impressive 3 for 27 by Deepti Sharma and 2 for 31 by Kanwar, Ireland were bundled out for 131.

A Record Margin of Victory

India won the match by 304 runs, thereby breaking their record of a 249-run win over Ireland back in 2017. The victory ensured that India whitewashed the series 3-0 and marked the team's growing strength and depth in women's cricket.

Reflections and Milestones

Mandhana's knock will be remembered for sheer audacity, breaking Harmanpreet Kaur's record for the fastest ODI century by an Indian batter. Rawal's maiden century and then acceleration showed she is a player for the future. The record-breaking opening stand to the disciplined bowling performance shows India's dominance on the field.

As India is witnessing this day, one such example is the Ireland series that gives an idea of the continuous effort of this team to move ahead in every segment of the game.