India Women’s Cricket Team Smashes Their Highest-Ever ODI Total!

On January 15, 2025, the India women’s cricket team made history in the third ODI against Ireland at Rajkot by posting their highest-ever total in One-Day Internationals (ODIs). With a fearless and aggressive approach, the Indian team dominated the Irish bowlers, setting an enormous target of 435 runs for the loss of just five wickets in 50 overs. With this achievement, the team also etched their name in the record books for the fourth-highest total in women’s ODI cricket history.A Dynamic Partnership: Mandhana and Rawal Lead the ChargeThe stunning innings were spearheaded by two exceptional centuries from openers Pratika Rawal and Smriti Mandhana. Pratika Rawal, who was playing only her second series for India, made a thunderous statement by scoring 154 runs off 129 balls. The 24-year-old psychology student from Delhi showcased her talent and composure at the top of the order, hitting 20 boundaries and one six in her impressive knock. Her maiden century for India was a moment of personal triumph and a sign of things to come.Leading the team in the absence of Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana put on a batting spectacle. The Indian captain was in sublime form, scoring 135 runs off just 80 balls. Smriti’s knock was a combination of power and finesse, as she smashed 12 boundaries and seven sixes. Her 70-ball century was the fastest by any Indian woman in ODIs and set the tone for an explosive partnership with Rawal.Together, the pair added a massive 233 runs for the first wicket, making it the third-highest partnership in India’s women’s ODI history.Richa Ghosh and Tejal’s Quickfire ContributionsAdding further depth to India’s total, Richa Ghosh played a crucial role in accelerating the scoring rate, contributing a quickfire 59 runs off 32 balls. Richa’s explosive batting came at a time when India was looking to pile on the runs, and she delivered with a flurry of boundaries. Tejal, who played a supporting role, chipped in with a valuable 28 runs. Harleen Kaur also contributed 15 runs, further propelling the team’s total to an unbeatable 435/5.Source: Google ImagesA Record-Breaking TotalIndia’s score of 435 runs not only broke their previous record of 370 runs—set against the same opponents just three days earlier—but also placed them among an elite group of teams to have scored over 400 runs in women’s ODIs. With this achievement, India became only the third team in women’s cricket, after New Zealand and Australia, to cross the 400-run mark in a 50-over match.This feat is significant on multiple fronts. India’s total of 435/5 stands as the fourth-highest total ever recorded in women’s ODI history, behind New Zealand’s three extraordinary totals of 491/4, 455/5, and 440/3. Australia also made history by scoring 412/3 against Denmark in 1997. The Smriti Mandhana-led team’s achievement is even more significant as it surpasses not just their own highest total in this format, but also the combined highest total for both men and women. The previous record for the Men in Blue was 418/5, set against the West Indies in 2011.For the Irish bowlers, it was a day to forget. Despite their best efforts, they were unable to stem the flow of runs against the relentless Indian batters. Orla, one of Ireland’s standout bowlers, managed to claim two wickets, while Freya, Kelly, and Dempsey picked up one wicket each. However, the Irish bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batters, who maintained a high scoring rate throughout the innings.This historic innings by the India women’s cricket team marks a significant step in the evolution of women’s cricket in India. The rise of young talents like Pratika Rawal, combined with the leadership and flair of experienced players like Smriti Mandhana, bodes well for the future of the team. IAs the Women in Blue continue to shine on the global stage, one thing is clear—India is a force to be reckoned with in women’s cricket, and the future looks incredibly bright.