Jemimah Rodrigues scored a maiden century while Harleen Deol, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal struck half-centuries to help India storm to their highest ever team total in women’s ODI history. 

In the second ODI of their ongoing three-match series against Ireland in Rajkot on Sunday, India finished with 370/5 in 50 overs to surpass their previous best of 358/2 also against Ireland in 2017.

Overall, this is the 15th highest total in women’s ODI history. New Zealand hold the record for the highest total having plundered 491/4 against Ireland in 2018.

India’s top 10 highest totals in ODIs

Mandhana and Rawal led a brilliant start for India as the pair added 156 runs for the first wicket. Mandhana made 73 off just 54 balls while newcomer Rawal continued her fine start to ODI career with 67 off 61 balls.

Harleen Deol made 89 off 84 balls while Rodrigues struck 102 off 91 balls in a dominant show with the bat at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium.

Indian total was based on two big stands — 156 off 19 overs between Mandhana and Rawal and another 183 off 28 overs between Rodrigues and Deol.

In all, Indian batters smashed an astounding 44 fours and three sixes.

As far as Rodrigues was concerned, her record has been one that flattered to deceive with just six half-centuries across 40 games. But once she got the boundary off medium pacer Arlene Kelly, the relief was palpable as she did a mock guitar playing act with her willow.

“It has been a long wait to get this hundred. Glad that the team gave me a role at No. 4 and I could deliver,” Rodrigues told broadcasters Star Sports at the innings break. “Today, the important thing for me was to be till the 50th over. Getting runs is not a problem, I am good at that, but being till the end was important and glad I could do that.”

Source: News 18
--Agencies