Published By: Sanchari Das

Did You Know? India’s Greatest ODI Margins Happened on January 15

Some dates in cricket leave a lasting impression, and January 15 is one such day for Indian cricket. On this date, two years apart, India’s men’s and women’s teams achieved historic feats in ODI cricket, showcasing dominance on a scale rarely seen.

From record-breaking batting exploits to emphatic victories, the events of January 15, 2023, and 2025 highlighted India’s supremacy in both men’s and women’s cricket.

Women’s team creates history with 435

On January 15, 2025, the Indian women’s cricket team achieved a feat that sent ripples through the cricketing world. They became only the third team in women’s ODI history to score over 400 runs in an innings, following New Zealand and Australia.

Against Ireland, India smashed a jaw-dropping 435 for 5, surpassing their previous record of 370, set just three days earlier against the same opponent. This wasn’t just India’s highest total in women’s ODIs—it also went past the men’s team’s best ODI score of 418, set against the West Indies in 2011. New Zealand’s 491 against Ireland in 2018 remains the highest in women’s ODIs, but India’s 435 is now the fourth-highest total in the format.

The Smriti-Pratika partnership

Smriti Mandhana and her young opening partner, Pratika Rawal, laid the foundation of this historic total. The duo added 233 runs for the first wicket, the third-highest partnership for India in women’s ODIs.

Smriti was in sublime form, smashing 135 off just 80 balls. Her century, off just 70 deliveries, is now the fastest by an Indian woman in ODIs, breaking Harmanpreet Kaur’s previous record of 87 balls. She hit 12 boundaries and seven sixes in her scintillating knock.

Pratika, playing only her second series, announced her arrival on the big stage with a majestic 154 off 129 balls. The 24-year-old psychology student from Delhi hit 20 boundaries and a six, converting her maiden ODI century into a “daddy hundred.”

Contributions from the middle-order

After the massive opening stand, Richa Ghosh added fireworks with a quick 59 off 42 balls, including six and ten boundaries. Tejal Hasabnis (28) and Harleen Deol (15) chipped in to take India to a mammoth total.

This was only the sixth instance in women’s ODIs where a team crossed the 400-run mark. India also joined the elite club of teams—New Zealand and Australia—capable of achieving such massive totals.

Men’s team sets a record in 2023

Exactly two years earlier, on January 15, 2023, India’s men’s team created history in Thiruvananthapuram by recording the largest victory margin in ODI history. Facing Sri Lanka, India crushed the visitors by a whopping 317 runs.

Batting first, India posted 390 for 5 in 50 overs, powered by centuries from Shubman Gill and Virat Kohli. Gill’s 116 off 97 balls was a masterclass in timing, while Kohli’s unbeaten 166 off 110 balls was a lesson in acceleration. It was Kohli’s 46th ODI hundred and 10th against Sri Lanka, the most by any batter against a single team.

A complete performance

Defending a mammoth 391, the Indian bowlers wreaked havoc. Mohammed Siraj led the charge, claiming 4 for 32 in an outstanding display of swing bowling. Mohammed Shami and Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets each as Sri Lanka were bundled out for just 73 runs in 22 overs.

This 317-run victory broke New Zealand’s previous record of a 290-run win over Ireland. The win also secured a 3-0 series sweep for India, highlighting their dominance with both bat and ball.

A date for the ages

January 15 will forever be etched in Indian cricket history. The women’s team displayed unparalleled batting might, rewriting records against Ireland in 2025. Two years earlier, the men’s team crushed Sri Lanka with a historic performance in 2023.