 "Smriti Mandhana breaks another record, becomes women's batter with most international runs in a calendar year")
Indian batting ace Smriti Mandhana continues her record-breaking spree in 2024. On Sunday, she became the player with the most international runs in a calendar year in women’s cricket after her fifth consecutive fifty-plus score. After scoring 91 in the first ODI against West Indies at Vadodara, which India won by 211 runs, the 28-year-old Mandhana completed 1602 runs in 2024 across all formats.
The knock of 91 helped Mandhana dislodge South Africa’s Laura Wolvaardt, who has scored 1593 runs this year, from the top of the list for batters with the most runs in a year in women’s cricket.
Mandhana has smashed five centuries and 10 fifties in 2024 and will have a chance to add more to her tally in the last two ODIs against the West Indies. The Sangli batter had scored three consecutive fifties in the recently-concluded T20I series against West Indies which India won 2-1.
Cricketers with the most international runs in a year in women’s cricket
1. Smriti Mandhana (2024) - 1602 runs
2. Laura Wolvaardt (2024) 1593 runs
3. Nat Sciver-Brunt (2022) 1346 runs
4. Smriti Mandhana (2018) 1291 runs
5. Smriti Mandhana (2022) 1290 runs
IND vs WI 1st ODI recap
The 211-run triumph over the Caribbeans is India’s second biggest win by runs in women’s ODIs, behind the 249-run win against Ireland in 2017. It was also the biggest defeat by runs for West Indies in the history of women’s ODIs.
Recapping the match, West Indies, led by Hayley Matthews, won the toss and opted to field. However, Harmanpreet Kaur’s team set a daunting target for the visitors in the first innings. Openers Smriti Mandhana (91 off 102 balls, 13 fours) and Pratika Rawal (40 off 69 balls, 4 fours) put together a solid 110-run partnership, laying a strong foundation for the hosts. The duo’s superb batting kept the Caribbean bowlers under pressure, making it difficult for them to claim early wickets.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsSkipper Matthews eventually broke the opening stand in the 24th over, dismissing Pratika Rawal, but the damage had already been done. Harleen Deol (44 off 50 balls, 2 fours and 1 six) then joined Mandhana at the crease, building a 50-run partnership.
Zaida James dismissed Mandhana in the 32nd over, briefly stemming the flow of runs. However, Harleen and Harmanpreet Kaur (34 off 23 balls, 3 fours and 1 six) added a 66-run stand, further solidifying India’s innings.
Though West Indies managed to remove Harleen and Harmanpreet, India’s middle order stepped up with confidence. Richa Ghosh (26 off 13 balls, 4 fours and 1 six), Jemimah Rodrigues (31 off 19 balls, 3 fours and 1 six), and Deepti Sharma (14* off 12 balls, 1 four) propelled India to a formidable 314/9. Deepti and Priya Mishra (1* off 3 balls) remained unbeaten at the end of the innings.
Zaida James led the West Indies’ bowling effort, taking five wickets for 45 runs at an economy rate of 5.60. Matthews chipped in with two wickets in her 10 overs.
Chasing 315, West Indies struggled to establish a partnership against the disciplined Indian bowling attack. Renuka Thakur Singh was the star with the ball, claiming five wickets and dismantling the Caribbean batting lineup. Priya Mishra picked up two wickets, while Titas Sadhu and Deepti Sharma each grabbed one. The Indian bowlers skittled out West Indies for just 103 in 27 overs, sealing a comprehensive 211-run victory.
Afy Fletcher (24* off 22 balls, 3 fours) was the top scorer for the visitors, while wicketkeeper Shemaine Campbelle (21 off 39 balls, 2 fours) also made a valiant effort before falling to Renuka Singh’s lethal spell.
Renuka Thakur Singh was adjudged ‘Player of the Match’ for her brilliant five-wicket haul.
With agency inputs
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