India cross major ODI milestone to join New Zealand and Australia in elite club

Skipper Smriti Mandhana led from the front as India hammered 400 runs for the first time in an ODI innings against Ireland on Wednesday.

In doing so, India have become only the third team to do so in Women’s ODI history. Previously New Zealand have scored more than 400 in an ODI innings four times – including the highest score of 491/4 against Ireland back in 2018. Australia scored 412 against Denmark back in 1997.

Highest totals in Women's ODIs

Leading 2-0 in the three-match series, openers Mandhana (135) and Pratika Rawal (154) registered tons to propel the team total past the elusive mark.

Wicket-keeper batter Richa Ghosh, then blazed a quickfire half-century as India pushed hard in the death overs.

This innings comes only a game after India posted their highest-ever total in Women’s ODIs – 370/5.

Opening up on the milestone effort from the team, Rawal said, "There was not much going on in my mind, we wanted to cross 400 and we managed to post around 430, so that’s really good.

Rawal's 154 - her maiden international ton - is now the third-highest total by an Indian batter in Women's ODIs after Deepti Sharma's 188 and Harmanpreet Kaur's 171*. The 24-year-old forged a 233-run stand alongside Mandhana for the opening wicket.

"I was a bit slow when I was in my 70s, that 20-30 runs came slow but I covered it up later on," Rawal conceded before crediting the Indian skipper on revving up the scoring rate at the other end.

"It’s always a treat to watch her (Smriti Mandhana), she hit her shots with immense power, I don’t mind taking a backseat."