Hitting centuries each, Smriti and Harmanpreet carried India to a total of 325/3 against South Africa on Wednesday while playing the 2nd ODI at the Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy stadium.
Marking his seventh century in the ODI format, Mandhana is now matchin the same scores of the former Women in Blue captain Mithali Raj who has a score for most centuries in the 50 over format.
Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur scored centuries to lead India to 325/3 against South Africa. Mandhana scored 136, while Harmanpreet remained not out with 103. They shared a 171-run partnership for the third wicket.
🔹 Back to back centuries for Smriti Mandhana 🔥
— ICC (@ICC) June 19, 2024
🔹 Harmanpreet Kaur smashes 6th ODI ton 💯
India post a daunting target for South Africa in the second match.
📝 #INDvSA: https://t.co/uN1EfldMnF pic.twitter.com/jtzlaxq3Dp
India Vs South Africa 2024 Series :
The ongoing series is the part of the 2022-2025 ICC Women’s Championship cycle, A total of 10 teams are competing against one another to determine and fix their qualification for the 2025 Women’s Cricket World Cup. India has already qualified as the host nation. Australia is the two-time defending champion, having won the 2014-16 and 2017-20 cycles.
The final match of the series against South Africa will take place on June 23 in Bengaluru. Afterward, there will be a one-off Test match in Chennai and a three-game T20I series.
Highest totals for India Women in ODIs
— Uc Cricket (@uccricketlive) June 19, 2024
358/2 against Ireland in 2017
333/5 against England in 2022
325/3 against South Africa in 2024
317/8 against West Indies in 2022
302/3 against South Africa in 2018 #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/5Y4NpSmqmN
India’s 325/3 against South Africa is the third highest team score in women’s ODIs.The highest was 358/2 against Ireland in Potchefstroom during a 2017 quadrangular series, thanks to Deepti Sharma (188) and Punam Raut (109). The second highest is 333/5 against England in Canterbury in 2022. In the latest match, Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur each scored centuries to help India reach 325, with Richa Ghosh adding a quick 25 off 13 balls. South African bowlers struggled to contain the Indian batters on the batting-friendly pitch at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Smriti Celebrates Century in a Unique Style
Mandhana reached her century while playing against South Africa.Mandhana hit this milestone in the 39th over of India’s innings. Sune Luus bowled a high delivery, and Mandhana directed it past cover to take a single. To complete this achievement she was hugged by the player on the other end, captain Harmanpreet Kaur. The crowd stood up and cheered as she removed her helmet and raised her bat, enjoying the applause from fans and teammates.
