In a dazzling display of skill and finesse, the ever-stylish opener, Smriti Mandhana, orchestrated a magnificent innings of 91 runs off 102 balls, steering India to a formidable 314/9 in the first Women’s ODI against the West Indies held in Vadodara this past Sunday. This achievement marks her fifth consecutive performance of 50 or more runs—an undeniable testament to her current form.
Mandhana’s brilliance was notably complemented by debutant Pratika Rawal, who, alongside her, crafted a substantial 110-run partnership. Rawal, contributing 40 runs off 69 deliveries, provided a solid backing as Mandhana set the stage ablaze, empowering the middle-order dynamism from players such as Harmanpreet Kaur (34 off 23), Harleen Deol (44 off 50), the explosive Richa Ghosh (26 off 12), and Jemimah Rodrigues (31 off 19) to propel India’s scoreboard past the 300-mark.
India has been navigating the opening pair dynamics since parting ways with the hard-hitting Shafali Verma, experimenting with various players to accompany Mandhana. On this day, it was the young Delhi cricketer’s turn—a challenging but rewarding debut as she maintained a strike rate of 57.97. Pratika did experience a stroke of fortune, having been dropped at mid-off when her score was a humble three in the 10th over. Her four well-placed boundaries glided effortlessly to the leg-side, with her adeptness at the sweep shot on full display.
At the other end of the pitch, Mandhana enchanted the audience with her signature strokes, effortlessly executing a delightful cover drive and impeccable pulls that showcased her perfect timing. In this innings, she made history, becoming the first woman cricketer to surpass 1600 runs in a calendar year—a feat that embellishes her illustrious career.
Top Women Cricketers for Runs in a Calendar Year:
- Smriti Mandhana (2024) – 1602 runs
- Laura Wolvaardt (2024) – 1593 runs
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (2022) – 1346 runs
- Smriti Mandhana (2018) – 1291 runs
- Smriti Mandhana (2022) – 1290 runs
The momentum shifted dramatically with the return of fit-again skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, who unleashed her prowess with an exhilarating strike rate nearing 150, swiftly advancing India’s innings. As the batting fireworks continued, Richa and Rodrigues, both in impeccable form, kept the pressure on the West Indies attack.
However, for the West Indies, left-arm spinner Zaida James emerged as the standout bowler, capturing five wickets for 45 runs over eight overs—an impressive highlight amid the chaos. Despite India’s strong position, the latter part of their innings faltered, yielding only 20 runs in the closing three overs, with James claiming three wickets in a single over to stifle India’s finishing flourish.
