The first match of the three-match Women’s ODI series between India and Ireland was played on January 10 (Friday). In this match played at Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, the Indian women’s team won by six wickets. India had a target of 239 runs to win, which it achieved in just 34.3 overs. Now the second match of the series between the two teams will be played on the same ground on January 12 (Sunday).
Pratika’s tremendous innings, Smriti created history
For India, opener Pratika Rawal played the highest innings of 89 runs in 96 balls. During this, Pratika hit one six apart from 10 fours. Pratika was chosen player of the match. Tejal Hassabnis also remained not out after scoring 53 runs in 46 balls, which included 9 fours. Whereas captain Smriti Mandhana also scored 41 runs facing 29 balls. Mandhana hit 6 fours and one six in her innings. Harry Maguire dismissed the maximum three players for Ireland.
Smriti Mandhana also completed her 4000 runs in Women’s ODI during her inning of 41 runs. She is the second Indian batsman to achieve this feat. Before this only Mithali Raj could do this. Smriti achieved this milestone in her 95th ODI innings. She went ahead of Mithali in terms of completing the fastest four thousand runs. Overall, Smriti is at third place in terms of scoring the fastest 4 thousand runs in Women’s ODI.
Fastest 4 thousand runs in women’s ODI
Belinda Clark (Australia) – 86 innings
Meg Lanning (Australia) – 89 innings
Smriti Mandhana (India) – 95 innings
Laura Wolvaardt (South Africa) – 96 innings
Kieran Rolton (Australia)-103 innings
Irish captain missed a century
Earlier, after winning the toss and electing to bat, Ireland scored 238 runs for seven wickets. At one time the Irish team was in trouble after losing four wickets for 56 runs in the 14th over. Then the Irish team managed to make a good score with the partnership of 117 runs for the fifth wicket between Gabby Lewis and Leah Paul. Taking advantage of three missed catches and misfields, the pair of Lewis and Leah made the first century partnership of the Irish team against India.
Captain Gabby Lewis scored 92 runs in 129 balls, which included 15 fours. Whereas Leah Paul contributed 59 runs in 73 balls with the help of 7 fours. Arlene Kelly (28) and Colter Reilly (15) also managed to reach double figures. For India, spinner Priya Mishra took maximum two wickets. Sayali Satghare, Titas Sadhu and Deepti Sharma, who came to play the debut ODI match, also got one wicket each.
Playing-11 of Indian women’s team: Smriti Mandhana (captain), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Tejal Hassabnis, Richa Ghosh (wicketkeeper), Deepti Sharma, Sayali Satghare, Saima Thakor, Priya Mishra, Titas Sadhu.
Playing-11 of Ireland women’s team: Sarah Forbes, Gabby Lewis (c), Una Raymond Hoey, Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany, Leah Paul, Coulter Reilly (wk), Arlene Kelly, Georgina Dempsey, Freya Sergeant, Amy Maguire.
