Team India Women delivered a dominant performance in the third and final ODI against Ireland, crushing the visitors by a massive 304 runs to win the series 3-0.
The match, which set several records, saw opener Prateeka Rawal shine once again. She won both the player of the match and player of the series award for her two half centuries and a ton.
India’s dominant batting display
Captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and chose to bat first. She, alongside her new opening partner Prateeka Rawal, gave India a blazing start. Mandhana, in particular, unleashed a flurry of shots, dismantling the Ireland bowling attack. The opening pair put on a record-breaking 231-run partnership for the first wicket. Prateeka Rawal played a career-best knock of 154 runs, while Mandhana scored a blistering 135 off just 80 balls, featuring 7 sixes and 12 fours.
With this knock, Mandhana also set the record for the fastest century by an Indian woman in ODIs. Prateeka Rawal, with her outstanding form, became the first batter (male or female) to accumulate 401* runs after just six ODI matches.
Promoted to number 3, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh contributed with a quickfire 59 off 42 balls, as India posted a record total of 435/5 in 50 overs, their highest score in an ODI.
Ireland’s struggles against India’s bowling attack
In response, Ireland’s batting was unable to cope with the disciplined and steady Indian bowling. The visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were bowled out for just 134 runs in 31.4 overs. Opener Sarah Forbes (41) and Orla Prendergast (36) were the only batters to make significant contributions.
Deepti Sharma was the star with the ball, taking 3 wickets for 27 runs, while Tanuja Kanwar claimed 2 wickets for 31 runs. Titas Sadhu, Sayali Satghare, and Minnu Mani also picked up one wicket each to complete the dominant performance.
The Brief Scores:
India (Women): 435/5 in 50 overs
Prateeka Rawal 154, Smriti Mandhana 135, Richa Ghosh 59
Orla Prendergast 2/71, Georgina Dempsey 1/65
Ireland (Women): 134 all out in 31.4 overs
Sarah Forbes 41, Orla Prendergast 36
Deepti Sharma 3/27, Tanuja Kanwar 2/31, Titas Sadhu 1/22
