Charismatic India cricketer Smriti Mandhana said on Wednesday her record-breaking onslaught on the Irish bowlers was planned but despite her team’s clean sweep, there is still lot of scope for improvement in both fielding and running between wickets. The India skipper was at the forefront of several records being smashed as the hosts won by a massive 304 runs to claim their biggest-ever ODI win and complete a 3-0 clean sweep in the series. Mandhana, herself scored the fastest WODI hundred by an Indian woman, off just 70 balls.

The result of the match was a mere formality once India set Ireland a mammoth target of 436, and Ireland could only garner 131 before getting bundled out in 31.4 overs.

Mandhana cracked 135 off just 80 balls and her opening partner Pratika Rawal scored 154 as India achieved the highest total ever by an Indian team — men’s or women’s — in ODIs.

“It (onslaught) was planned. I was just thinking not many matches you can go out and attack. So, I thought of trying a few shots. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn’t. Today it did,” said Mandhana after the match.

“I am really pleased that all the girls got game time. The 100s and the 50s from the batters have been great. Really happy for Jemi (Rodrigues), Harleen (Deol), Pratika (Rawal), Richa (Ghosh).” She added that a lot more needs to be done in order to be ready for the ODI World Cup at home in August-September.

“There are so many things. As much as we want to enjoy this victory, we want to sit down and be in the loop for the World Cup. We need to work on our fielding and running between the wickets.

“In 50 over cricket, 300 balls, these two things will be critical. If we are good in these two departments, we can do something special,” added Mandhana, who has been simply superb with the bat so far this season.

Mandhana termed the victory almost clinical.

“The bowlers executed what was planned. Except for my drop catch, it was a near-perfect game. Winning the toss, going to bat and getting 400-plus was great. The way Richa and Pratika batted was great. That the bowlers finished it off in the 31st over, was superb.” Young Pratika, who was adjudged ‘player of the match’ said, as she was approaching her maiden century mark she was only thinking about when she would kiss her helmet.

“I just had the celebration in my mind when I would kiss the helmet, and I was visualizing that. I just wanted to do that.” Pratika has flourished with Mandhana at the top of the order in the six ODIs she has played after getting the India cap and the youngster said she revels in the senior batter’s company.

“It looks so easy when she bats. I don’t mind taking a back seat when she bats. It is a treat,” said the Delhi cricketer, who has scored 444 runs in the six ODIs this season at an average of 74.

Women’s team head coach Amol Muzumdar said that the batting gave him a lot of confidence ahead of the World Cup.

“We had back-to-back series, West Indies and Ireland. It has been a well-fought series and plenty of positives. The batting looks settled. We would love to have another fast bowler.” He said that India had not gone into the match with a 400-plus target in mind.

“No, not all. We don’t set targets. We go as per the flow of the game. It has been fantastic to see some records set in these last 12 months. Pretty satisfying, but at the same time we continue the process.” He said that Pratika had come in as a “breath of fresh air”.

“Top of the order with Smriti. Calm, composed and she looks settled at international level. Hope she continues.”

Indian women’s cricket team opener Pratika Rawal lit up Rajkot with a scintillating century in the third and final ODI against Ireland on Wednesday. Playing her sixth ODI, Pratika slammed a maiden international century and made 154 from 129 balls. She reached a run-a-ball hundred before shifting gears with authority. Pratika added 233-run for the opening stand with stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana (135), who scored her 10th ODI century, came off just 70 deliveries. The pair’s exploits saw India amass 435 for five, their highest-ever total in the 50-over format. 

Who is Pratika Rawal?

Pratika was born in Delhi on 1 September 2000. She plays her domestic cricket for Railways. Her father, Pradeep Rawal, isx a BCCI-certified Level-II umpire of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA).

She completed her schooling at Modern School at Barakhamba Road and acquired 92.5 per cent in the CBSE board exams, before finishing her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Jesus & Mary College, New Delhi.

Apart from cricket, Pratika also played basketball for Bal Bharati School in Rajender Nagar, winning a gold medal at the 64th School National Games in Delhi in January 2019.

She first trained at Rohtak Road Gymkhana Cricket Academy, under the mentorship of coach Sharvan Kumar. She made her international debut last month during the home series against West Indies.

On her debut, she scored 40 runs and shared a 110-run stand with Mandhana. She took her maiden ODI wicket, also in the same match, dismissing West Indies skipper Hailey Matthews.

Pratika represented Delhi from 2021 to 2024, before switching her allegiance to Railways. 

After reaching her maiden century, Pratika said that her strong connect with her subject and love for cricket have helped in her journey to the India team.

“I wanted to study about that (human mind) and when I started studying about it, I was very keen on understanding how we mentally process (things) on the field and off the field. And, it has helped me a lot in cricket as well,” said the Delhi cricketer in a video titled ‘Pratika Rawal: Psychology meets Cricket’ posted by BCCI on ‘X’.

Smriti Mandhana waltzed her way to the fastest century by an Indian while Pratika Rawal compiled her maiden hundred as India amassed 435/5, their highest-ever total in the 50-over format, in the third and final women’s ODI against Ireland in Rajkot on Wednesday. The stand-in skipper Smriti’s scintillating 135 (80 balls), her 10th ODI century, came off just 70 deliveries, set the tone for India breaching the 400-run mark for the first time, joining Australia and New Zealand in that elite list.

It was also the fourth-highest total in women’s ODI, and Smriti also surpassed Harmanpreet Kaur’s 87-ball hundred mark against South Africa last year.

Smriti reached her 31st ODI fifty in 39 balls, her second half-century of the series and the southpaw was not afraid to take the aerial route over the ‘V’ and clear the 30-yard circle in an innings studded with seven sixes and 12 fours.

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. 

A collective batting performance headlined by Jemimah Rodrigues’ maiden hundred formed the cornerstone of India’s commanding 116-run win against Ireland in the second women’s ODI in Rajkot on Sunday as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. India scored a massive 370 for five riding on three half-centuries and a ton before restricting Ireland to 254 for 7 in the stipulated 50 overs. It was the elegant skipper Smriti Mandhana, who was first off the blocks with an attacking 73 off just 54 balls, while Rodrigues’ first hundred (102 off 91 balls) ensured a smooth finish for the hosts.

Newcomer Pratika Rawal (67 off 61 balls) and seasoned Harleen Deol (89 off 84 balls) also made merry on a sub-par bowling attack.

Ireland batted steadily but never had the firepower to surpass a gigantic Indian total. Save Christina Coulter Reilly’s 80, there wasn’t much fight from the other batters as off-spinner Deepti Sharma emerged as the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 3 for 37. Seamer Titas Sadhu got 1 for 48 in 10 overs.

Earlier, India’s total was based on two big stands — 156 off 19 overs between Mandhana and Rawal and 183 off 28 overs between Rodrigues and Deol.

In all, Indian batters smashed an astounding 44 boundaries and three sixes in 50 overs.

As far as Rodrigues was concerned, her record has been one that flattered to deceive with just six half-centuries across 40 games.

But once she got the boundary off medium pacer Arlene Kelly, the relief was palpable as she did a mock guitar-playing act with her willow.

“It has been a long wait to get this hundred. Glad that the team gave me a role at No. 4 and I could deliver,” Rodrigues told broadcasters Star Sports at the innings break.

“Today, the important thing for me was to be till the 50th over. Getting runs is not a problem, I am good at that, but being till the end was important and glad I could do that.” She said during their 183-run stand, it took some time for her and Deol to assess the nature of the track.

“Having Harleen there, initially we took time to assess the conditions. I know I can accelerate but while I took time, Harleen spoke to me to keep believing.

“We can’t take any team lightly, we have followed domestic cricket here, 390 has been chased,” she said.

Jemimah Rodrigues scored her maiden century in 50-over cricket as Indian top order pulverised a listless Ireland to post a mammoth 370 for 5 in the second Women’s ODI in Rajkot on Sunday. It was the elegant skipper Smriti Mandhana, who was off the blocks in a flash to score 73 off just 54 balls, laid the foundation while Rodrigues’ first hundred —102 off 91 balls – ensured a smooth finish for the hosts. Newcomer Patika Rawal (67 off 61 balls) and seasoned Harleen Deol (89 off 84 balls) also made merry of a sub-par bowling attack.

Notably, this is the first time in India Women’s 48-year ODI history that they have touched the milestone of 370 runs. The side first played an ODI game back on January 1, 1978 against England.

Indian total was based on two big stands — 156 off 19 overs between Mandhana and Rawal and another 183 off 28 overs between Rodrigues and Deol.

In all, Indian batters smashed an astounding 44 boundaries and three sixes in 50 overs.

As far as Rodrigues was concerned, her record has been one that flattered to deceive with just six half-centuries across 40 games.

But once she got the boundary off medium pacer Arlene Kelly, the relief was palpable as she did a mock guitar playing act with her willow. “It has been a long wait to get this hundred. Glad that the team gave me a role at No. 4 and I could deliver,” Rodrigues told broadcasters Star Sports at the innings break.

“Today, the important thing for me was to be till the 50th over. Getting runs is not a problem, I am good at that, but being till the end was important and glad I could do that.” She said during their 183-run stand, it took some time for her and Deol to assess the nature of the track.

“Having Harleen there, initially we took time to assess the conditions. I know I can accelerate but while I took time, Harleen spoke to me to keep believing.

“We can’t take any team lightly, we have followed domestic cricket here, 390 has been chased,” she said.

Aimee Maguire in action© BCCI

Pratika Rawal showcased maturity beyond her experience, while Tejal Hasabnis capped a memorable comeback, posting a fifty each, as India outplayed an inexperienced Ireland by six wickets to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match women’s ODI series in Rajkot on Friday. Rawal anchored the modest run chase of 239 after stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana’s brisk 41, smashing 10 fours and one six for a career-best 89 (96 balls). Hasabnis, who last played an ODI against New Zealand in October 2024, struck her first fifty after her comeback, remaining unbeaten on 53 off 46 balls with the help of nine boundaries.

Rawal and Hasabnis put together a match-winning 116-run partnership from 84 balls with India winning the match with 93 balls to spare.

Carrying forward her dominant form from the West Indies series, Mandhana gave the team a fantastic start with a blistering 29-ball 41, studded with six fours and a six. In the process, she became the second Indian and 15th overall to surpass 4,000 ODI runs.

Mandhana unsettled the Irish bowlers with her attacking strokeplay on both sides of the wicket. Her aggression was particularly evident against seamer Dempsey in the eighth over, when she stepped out to hammer a boundary, followed by a six and another four.

Her rookie opening partner Rawal, who debuted in the preceding West Indies series, provided excellent support.

The duo shared their third fifty-plus opening stand in four matches, keeping the scoreboard ticking with ease.

However, Ireland managed a breakthrough right at the end of powerplay when Mandhana mistimed a slog sweep to mid-on, falling nine runs short of her fifty.

Harleen Deol (20) and Jemimah Rodrigues (9) looked in good touch initially, but clever bowling by left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire (3/57 from 8 overs) stalled India’s momentum temporarily.

The 18-year-old Maguire lured Jemimah into stepping out too far, resulting in a stumping when the batter was at least a foot outside her crease.

This phase saw India lose three wickets for 46 runs, but Mandhana’s explosive start ensured the team stayed well on par.

The inexperience of Ireland came to fore as they failed to seize the momentum, leaking 21 runs in extras.

Laura Delany was the weakest link in their bowling unit and she bowled successive no balls with two waist-high full tosses in the 24th over when Hasabnis cashed in on the opportunity to hit back-to-back fours from the two freebies.

Earlier, butter-fingered India let Ireland off the hook with their pathetic fielding as visiting skipper Gaby Lewis carved out a classy 92 to lift her team to a respectable 238 for 7.

Opting to bat, Ireland were in deep trouble at 56 for four in the 14th over, but Lewis and Leah Paul (59 off 73 balls) added 117 runs for the fifth wicket to steer their team to safety.

Lewis scored her runs in 129 balls, lacing the knock with 15 boundaries.

Aided by at least three clear dropped catches and a few misfields, the duo of Lewis and Paul went about their job in a calculated manner and brought a semblance of stability to the Ireland innings while putting together the team’s first-ever century partnership against India.

Medium pacer Titas Sadhu effected the first breakthrough for India when she induced an outside edge from Sarah Forbes (9) after the batter tried to play away from her body, and Deepti Sharma did the rest in the slip cordon.

Making their first visit to the country, Ireland were reduced to 34 for two thanks to a terrible mix-up that led to the run out of Una Raymond-Hoey (5), who attempted an inexplicable single despite hitting the ball straight to Jemimah Rodrigues at cover.

Orla Prendergast (9) was next to go as she was stumped by Ghosh off the bowling of leg-spinner Priya Mishra (2/56), leaving the visitors in a spot of bother at 56 for three in the 14th over.

Smriti Mandhana in action© BCCI