Team India Secures Victory in First ODI, Smriti Mandhana Sets Record

In the first ODI played against Ireland at Rajkot, the Indian women's cricket team registered a convincing victory, chasing down the target of 239 runs in just 34.3 overs with the loss of four wickets. This win gave India a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

Among the Indian batters, Pratika Rawal shone with a crucial 89 runs, while Tejal Hasabnis contributed a vital half-century, scoring 53 runs. Captain Smriti Mandhana played an aggressive knock of 41 runs, providing a strong start to the chase during the powerplay and putting Ireland’s bowlers under pressure. For her match-winning 89-run innings, Pratika Rawal was adjudged the Player of the Match.

Smriti Mandhana Achieves a Rare Milestone

Smriti Mandhana created a unique record in the match by scoring 41 runs off just 29 balls. She became the fastest Indian player to complete 4,000 runs in ODI cricket, achieving the feat in only 95 matches. Overall, she is the third-fastest woman cricketer to reach this milestone, following Australia’s Belinda Clark (86 matches) and Meg Lanning (87 matches). Previously, former Indian player Mithali Raj achieved this landmark in 112 ODIs.