Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana's resilient century (117 off 127 balls, 12x4, 1x6) along with support from Deepti Sharma (37 off 48 balls, 3x4) and Pooja Vastrakar (31 not out off 54 balls) helped India overcome a shaky start to post 265 for eight against South Africa in the first women's ODI. Mandhana also crossed the 7000-run mark in international cricket, making her only the second Indian woman after Mithali Raj to achieve this feat.
Indian batter Smriti Mandhana played a pivotal role in India's victory over South Africa in the first Women's One Day International (ODI) match on February 11, 2023. The match marked a historic milestone for both Mandhana and Indian women's cricket.
Match Summary
South Africa won the toss and elected to field first. India got off to a shaky start, losing three wickets for just 37 runs. However, Mandhana and Deepti Sharma steadied the innings with a 140-run partnership. Mandhana went on to score a magnificent century (117 off 127 balls) and crossed the 7000-run mark in international cricket. This makes her only the second Indian woman after Mithali Raj to achieve this feat.
Apart from Mandhana, Pooja Vastrakar contributed an unbeaten 31 off 54 balls, helping India reach a respectable total of 265 for eight.
In response, South Africa struggled to build partnerships and were bowled out for 153 runs in 34.5 overs. Ayabonga Khaka was the only batsman to top 30 runs. Deepti Sharma and Rajeshwari Gayakwad took three wickets each for India.
Background
Indian women's cricket has been on the rise in recent years. The team has performed consistently in the ICC Women's ODI World Cup, reaching the semifinals twice (2017 and 2022). Smriti Mandhana has been at the forefront of this success, establishing herself as one of the best batters in the world.
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is Smriti Mandhana's highest score in ODIs?
2. How many centuries has Smriti Mandhana scored in international cricket?
3. Who is the all-time leading run-scorer for India in women's ODIs?
4. When was the first women's ODI match played?
5. Which team has won the most Women's ODI World Cups?
Conclusion
Smriti Mandhana's century and India's victory over South Africa in the first Women's ODI was a significant moment for Indian women's cricket. It showcased the team's talent and depth and highlighted the growing popularity of the sport. As India gears up for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup in February 2023, Mandhana and her teammates will aim to continue their dominance and bring glory to their nation.
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