In the absence of regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur, the explosive opener dazzled with a blistering 135-run innings, studded with 12 boundaries and seven sixes, before being dismissed at short fine leg by Orla Prendergast.
The Fastest ODI century ever for India in women’s cricket ⚡️⚡️
A milestone-filled knock from Captain Smriti Mandhana ????????Updates ▶️ https://t.co/xOe6thhPiL#TeamIndia | #INDvIRE | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/L9hj2SANJU
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 15, 2025
Mandhana broke the record previously held by Kaur, who had scored a century in 87 balls against South Africa in Bengaluru last year.
Mandhana’s hundred is the joint-seventh fastest in the format, equalling former England cricketer Charlotte Edwards’ effort from 2012.
Innings Break!
A ????????????????????????-???????????????????????????????? batting display from #TeamIndia in Rajkot! ???? ????Hundreds for Pratika Rawal & captain Smriti Mandhana ????
Target ???? for Ireland – 436
Updates ▶️ https://t.co/xOe6thhPiL#INDvIRE | @IDFCFIRSTBank pic.twitter.com/aid00lGDjY
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) January 15, 2025
???? THE HISTORIC MOMENT ????
Smriti Mandhana, first Asian to complete 10 Hundreds in Women’s ODIs. pic.twitter.com/H8nrAT7o9e— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 15, 2025
With her 10th ODI hundred, Mandhana also moved to joint third on the all-time list of most centuries in women’s ODIs, alongside England’s Tammy Beaumont.
The list is led by former Australia captain Meg Lanning (15) and New Zealand’s Suzie Bates (13).
Pratika, a Delhi cricketer representing Railways, complemented her captain brilliantly with a measured knock, making the occasion even more special by notching her maiden international century in her sixth innings. She made 154 from 129 balls.
The 24-year-old, who debuted in the previous series against the West Indies, had already notched three fifties in four innings.
This time, Pratika made it count, reaching a run-a-ball hundred before shifting gears with authority.
Pratika relied on precise placement and deft touches in the point region and she showed her aggression only after reaching the ton, hitting Freya Sargent for her first six. She also hit 20 boundaries.
Demonstrating her hunger for a bigger knock, she powered her way to an impressive 150, showcasing a perfect blend of composure and aggression.
Their 233-run partnership made them only the fourth Indian pair to record a 200-run stand in Women’s ODIs.
The last such partnership was the record-breaking 320-run opening stand by Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut against Ireland in 2017.
It was also the third instance of both Indian openers scoring hundreds in a Women’s ODI, following Reshma Gandhi and Mithali Raj’s feat at Milton Keynes in 1999 and Deepti and Raut’s partnership at Potchefstroom in 2017 — all against Ireland.
The duo added 90 runs during the Power Play and 67 in the subsequent 10 overs, maintaining a brisk scoring rate.
The partnership marked their fourth 100-run stand in six innings.
Smriti reached her first century of the calendar year with an exquisite drive off Arlene Kelly.
Kelly bore the brunt of Smriti’s onslaught, conceding successive sixes in one over.
Even Kelly’s variations, including back-of-the-hand deliveries, were dispatched with ease, with Smriti following a six with another boundary in the 24th over.
Smriti also took on Ireland’s leading bowler, Orla Prendergast, smashing her for a boundary down the ground and a towering six over long-on, leaving the Irish attack in tatters.
Promoted to No. 3, keeper-batter Richa Ghosh also returned to form, getting to a 37-ball fifty, her fifth in ODIs.
Ireland used seven bowlers but they struggled against India’s batting fury and sloppy fielding added to their misery.
(With PTI inputs)
