IND-W vs IRE-W: India wins series with 304-run victory over Ireland in 3rd ODI
Team India Women dominated the third and final ODI against Ireland, hammering the visitors by 304 runs to win the series 3-0.
The match, which broke multiple records, saw starter Prateeka Rawal dazzle once more. Her two half centuries and a tonne earned her both the player of the match and the player of the series awards.
The home team chose to bat first and amassed 435 runs for five in their 50 overs. In women’s cricket, stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana achieved India’s quickest ODI century, while Pratika Rawal top-scored with an incredible 154 off 129 balls. Richa Ghosh hit a quick 59 as well.
The Irish answer was bundled out for 131 since it never really got rolling. Sarah Forbes and Orla Prendergast put up 64 for the fourth wicket, but the latter’s removal caused a collapse in the lower order. The final wicket to fall, Freya Sargent, was caught by Deepti Sharma at mid-off to clinch the record loss.
Overtaking India’s previous mark, a 249-run victory against Ireland at Potchefstroom in 2017, the victory is India’s biggest margin of victory.
Captain Smriti Mandhana won the toss and decided to bat first. She and her new opening partner, Prateeka Rawal, gave India a flying start. Mandhana, in particular, unleashed a barrage of blows that dismantled Ireland’s bowling assault. The opening combination set a record-breaking 231-run partnership for the first wicket. Prateeka Rawal hit a career-best 154 runs, while Mandhana smashed 135 off only 80 balls, including 7 sixes and 12 fours.
Mandhana also established a record for the fastest century by an Indian woman in one-day internationals with this hit. Prateeka Rawal, with her exceptional form, became the first batter (male or female) to score 401* runs in just six ODIs.
Richa Ghosh, promoted to number three, scored 59 off 42 balls to help India reach a record total of 435/5 in 50 overs, their best ODI score.
In response, Ireland’s batting was unable to deal with India’s disciplined and consistent bowling. The visitors lost wickets at frequent intervals and were eventually bowled out for 134 runs in 31.4 overs. The only hitters who made substantial contributions were opener Sarah Forbes (41) and Orla Prendergast (36).
Deepti Sharma was the standout bowler, collecting three wickets for 27 runs, while Tanuja Kanwar took two wickets for 31 runs. Titas Sadhu, Sayali Satghare, and Minnu Mani all picked up one wicket apiece to round up the overwhelming effort.
Smriti Mandhana: “I am really pleased that all the girls got game time. The 100s and the 50s from the batters have been great. Really happy for Jemi, Harleen, Pratika, Richa. And then the bowlers executed what was planned. Except for my drop catch, it was a near-perfect game. Winning the toss, going to bat and getting 400+ was great. The way Richa and Pratika batted was great. That the bowlers finished it off in the 31st over, was superb. It was planned. I was just thinking not many matches you can go out and attack. So, I thought of trying a few shots. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn’t. Today it did. There are so many things. As much as we want to enjoy this victory, we want to sit down and be in the loop for the World Cup. We need to work on the fielding and running between the wickets. Fifty overs, 300 balls, these two things will be critical. If we are good in these two departments, we can do something special.”
Pratika Rawal, Player of the match and series: it is a good start to the January season. I am very happy. Always good to score runs and do it for the country is going to boost my confidence. Happy with my performance. I just had the celebration in my mind when I kiss the helmet, and I was visualising that. I just wanted to do that. It looks so easy when she bats. I don’t mind taking a backseat when she bats. It is a treat.”
First up, Ireland captain Gaby Lewis: “Our first time for a couple of people playing in India. The experience with the people, and the noise was great. It’s been great. A lot of learnings for the girls coming up against world-class players. It was a great show they put up today and it was great to watch. Just generally consistency with the ball and bat. Some positives to take. Different players showed up, and showed the depth in the group.”
Amol Muzumdar, India head coach: “We had a back-to-back series, WI and IRE. Plenty of positives form both series. It has been a well-fought series and plenty of positives. It has always been there. At the same time, the batting looks settled. We would love to have another fast bowler. No, not all. We don’t set targets. We go as per the flow of the game. It has been fantastic to see some records set in these last 12 months. Pretty satisfying, but at the same time we continue the process. She is a breath of fresh air. Top of the order with Smriti. Calm, composed and she looks settled at international level. Hope she continues. When we had a decent start, 20 overs into the game, it was important to give Richa some game time. We have seen Harleen getting a hundred, Jemi some game time. So, we thought giving Richa some game time was important.”
Deepti Sharma: “Thank You. It feels great to be leading a bowling unit. That is a challenge, and I love taking on challenges. The mindset remains the same, that doesn’t change. In the second half the wicket was slower and was getting some turn. I assessed the wickets and bowled that way. I am always there to help the juniors and the younger bowlers. I just focus on practice, and whatever areas are there I follow that. Next up, WPL, that is the focus.”
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
