Smriti Mandhana registered a brilliant century to end her ODI hundred drought during the India women’s cricket team’s first ODI game against South Africa in Bengaluru on Sunday, June 16. The star Indian batter recorded her sixth ODI century and the first in the last two years.
The 27-year-old left-handed batter stood tall after India suffered an early collapse at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Mandhana and Deepti Sharma added 81 runs for the sixth wicket to lead India past 200. She took just 116 balls with the help of ten fours and one six to bring her second century against the Proteas Women.
Mandhana’s last international hundred came against West Indies during the ICC ODI World Cup 2022. She was a consistent runscorer across formats in the last two years but missed out on three-digit scores on a couple of occasions.
India struggled for a good start after electing to bat first with youngster Shafali Verma scoring just seven runs. The returning star Jemimah Rodrigues and captain Harmanpreet Kaur also failed to impress as India lost the first five wickets before reaching a 100 total. This initial setback put immense pressure on the middle order, and it was crucial for someone to anchor the innings moving forward.
Deepti Sharma then joined Smriti and the duo pulled off an impressive 81-run stand for the sixth wicket to put India on track for a big total. Deepti departed after scoring a crucial 37 runs off 48 balls while Smriti top-scored with 117 runs off 127 balls before losing her wicket while attempting a big shot over the deep square leg off Masabata Klaas in the 47th over. Such partnerships are vital for any team’s success, showcasing the ability to rebuild the innings even after early setbacks.
Pooja Vastrakar then smashed an unbeaten 31 runs in the closing stages as India posted a total of 265/8 in 50 overs. Pacer Ayabonga Khaka bagged three wickets for 47 while Klaas picked two for 51 for the travelling side. This end-game flourish provided India with a competitive total that would test the visiting South African side.
Meanwhile, Smriti became the only second Indian women cricketer to score 7,000 international runs after the former captain Mithali Raj (10,868 runs). Smriti also surpassed Harmanpreet Kaur to record the most ODI centuries by an active Indian cricketer. This milestone adds another feather to her already illustrious cap, reflecting her consistency and excellence in international cricket.
India’s total of 265/8 was a challenging target for the South African team.
. The Indian bowlers now had the task of defending the total. With the pitch offering some assistance to both the pacers and spinners, it was an exciting prospect to see how the team would fare. The conditions at Chinnaswamy Stadium are known to occasionally favor the bowlers, particularly under lights, providing a balanced contest.
In response, the South African team came out with vigor and determination. Their openers started cautiously, aware of the need to preserve their wickets while not letting the required run rate escalate. Indian pacers began with tight overs, keeping the run flow in check. The breakthrough came from none other than Jhulan Goswami, who dismissed the aggressive Laura Wolvaardt with a brilliantly executed inswinger that rattled her stumps. This early breakthrough put the South Africans on the backfoot, increasing the pressure on their middle order.
As the game progressed, the South African middle order showed resilience with a few solid partnerships. Suné Luus and Marizanne Kapp were particularly impressive, crafting a steady 75-run partnership to stabilize the innings. However, the Indian spinners, led by Rajeshwari Gayakwad, continued to apply pressure with economical overs and crucial wickets at regular intervals.
The relentless pressure and mounting required run rate eventually got to the South African middle order. Deepti Sharma, showing her all-round capabilities, picked up two crucial wickets with her deceptive off-spin. As the innings neared the death overs, the visitors needed a hefty strike rate to edge closer to the target. Indian bowlers, keeping their nerve and sticking to their plans, ensured that the South Africans did not get any easy scoring opportunities.
In the end, the South African innings fell short, with India claiming an important victory. This match not only highlighted Smriti Mandhana’s spectacular return to century-scoring form but also underscored the depth and resilience of the Indian women’s cricket team.
Smriti Mandhana’s remarkable century and the team’s collective performance reflect India’s growing strength and consistency in women’s cricket. This victory sets a positive tone for the series ahead and boosts the team’s confidence as they aim for continued success on the international stage.
