In a scintillating display of cricketing prowess, Smriti Mandhana and Asha Sobhana led India’s women cricket team to a phenomenal 143-run victory over South Africa in the first ODI match held in Bengaluru on Sunday, June 16. While Mandhana’s brilliance with the bat earned her a seventh international century, it was Asha Sobhana’s stellar bowling performance on her ODI debut that truly stole the spotlight.
The 33-year-old leg-spinner, Asha Sobhana, showcased an unprecedented level of skill and composure, emerging as the top bowler at M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Her remarkable figures of four wickets for 21 runs from 8.4 overs set new benchmarks, breaking longstanding records in Indian cricket. Sobhana’s bowling overshadowed the previous figures held by men’s cricket team player Prasidh Krishna, who took 4/54 against England in his debut game in March 2021. Furthermore, Sobhana’s figures now stand as the second-best bowling statistics on an ODI debut for India, surpassed only by former cricketer Purnima Choudhary’s 5/21 against West Indies in December 1997.
Adding to her list of accolades, Sobhana became the oldest ODI debutant in the history of Indian women’s cricket at 33 years and 92 days. This remarkable feat comes on the heels of her becoming the oldest T20I debutant last month when she played her first international game against Bangladesh.
Asha Sobhana, reflecting on her extraordinary performance, attributed her success to her long-standing practice and connection to the venue. Sobhana, who had a breakthrough season during the Women’s Premier League 2024 with RCB Women at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, expressed a special bond with the ground. In a post-match interview, Sobhana shared, “I just kept it simple, I wanted to bowl in the right areas, I was in a good rhythm, I wanted to continue. I have been practicing this [leg spin] for years, I did not want to do anything extraordinary, wanted to focus on the basics. There was a lot for turn on the wicket, did not want to give space to the batters, wanted to vary the pace so that the batters don’t pick my variations.
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Sobhana’s humility in the aftermath of her record-breaking spell was evident when she spoke about her aspirations and approach towards the game. She recounted her emotional connection to the stadium and the morning of the match, “This stadium is very special for me, by the grace of god everything went well. Pitch is amazing and a little bit of my effort as well. I woke up in the morning today and prayed to god that everything should go well, glad that it went well.”
Echoing this sentiment, Sobhana added, “The management just told me to enjoy, they had a lot of confidence in my skills, they wanted me to go out and explore.” When asked if she felt any disappointment for not securing a five-wicket haul, she responded with characteristic modesty, “Not really, I’m happy that my nation won.”
In a related context, Smriti Mandhana’s contribution to the victory was equally significant. Ending her international century drought, Mandhana’s valiant hundred set a solid foundation for India’s dominant total. Her form, alongside Deepti Sharma’s effective all-round performance, ensured that India had enough runs on the board to exert pressure on the South African batting lineup.
Following the win, cricket enthusiasts and experts lauded Mandhana and Sobhana’s contributions, viewing them as crucial pillars of India’s strategy moving forward in the series. This victory is likely to be a morale booster for the Indian women’s team, showcasing their depth and resilience.
The historic achievements from the first ODI not only highlight individual excellence but also reflect the collective strength and potential of the Indian women’s cricket team. With the series opener setting a high standard, fans are eagerly anticipating the upcoming matches and the possibility of witnessing more records being shattered on the field.
