Published By: Sanchari Das

India Women vs. Ireland Women ODI Turns Into Records Galore 

How Women in Blue rewrote history against Ireland in record-breaking ODI series

The India women's cricket team showcased unparalleled dominance in their ODI series against Ireland, rewriting the record books. Across three matches at the Niranjanshah Stadium, they outclassed their opponents, producing thrilling performances that will be etched in history. The highlight was their highest-ever ODI total of 435/5, a feat achieved with the fiery centuries of Smriti Mandhana and debutant sensation Pratika Rawal. The series wasn't just about wins but a statement of supremacy.

Fastest century for India

Smriti Mandhana delivered a masterclass with the bat, scoring 135 off just 80 balls, including 12 boundaries and seven towering sixes. Her 70-ball century became the fastest by any Indian woman in ODIs, surpassing Harmanpreet Kaur's 87-ball ton against South Africa in 2024. Mandhana's aggressive knock dismantled Ireland's bowling attack, leaving spectators in awe. With this innings, she solidified her place among the greats, bringing her total ODI centuries to 10, the joint-third most in women's cricket history.

The new record machine

Pratika Rawal, in just her sixth ODI, achieved a milestone few can dream of. Her stunning 154-run knockoff of 129 balls included 20 boundaries and a six, showcasing a mix of composure and aggression. This innings took her series tally to 444 runs, the highest by any batter in their first six ODIs, eclipsing England's Charlotte Edwards (434). Rawal also became the third Indian woman to score over 150 in ODIs, joining legends Deepti Sharma and Harmanpreet Kaur.

A partnership to remember

Mandhana and Rawal shared a mammoth opening stand of 233 runs, India's third-highest partnership in women's ODIs. Only Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut's 320 (2017) and Reshma Gandhi and Mithali Raj's 258* (1999) stand ahead. The duo's scoring rate of 8.73 was the second-highest for a 200-plus stand in women's ODIs, where data is available. This effort laid a rock-solid foundation for India's record-breaking total and comprehensively dismantled Ireland's bowling strategy.

India breached the 400-run mark

India's 435/5 was not only their highest total in women's ODIs but also their first-ever 400-plus score in the format. This monumental feat surpassed their previous best of 370/5, achieved just days earlier. Remarkably, it also topped India's men's highest ODI score of 418/5, set in 2011 against the West Indies. Only New Zealand and Australia have crossed the 400-run threshold in women's ODIs before, making India the third team to achieve this milestone.

The biggest victory margin

India wrapped up the series in style, bowling Ireland out for a paltry 131 and securing a 304-run victory—their largest margin in women's ODIs. This eclipsed their previous best of 249 runs against Ireland in 2017. The win marked the seventh-largest margin by any team in women's ODIs and showcased India's all-around brilliance. The 3-0 clean sweep also made it their 13th series whitewash in women's ODIs, surpassing England's record of 12.

A series of records

The series saw India create history in multiple facets of the game:

Mandhana's Century: Fastest for India (70 balls).

Rawal's 150: Third by an Indian woman in ODIs.

Boundary Count: 57 in the third ODI, the third-highest in women's ODIs.

1046 Runs: Second-most in a three-match series, after New Zealand's 1349 in 2018.

Consecutive 350+ Totals: India became only the third team to achieve this in women's ODIs.

India women's cricket team didn't just win the series; they announced themselves as a force to reckon with, leaving behind a trail of records and rewriting history with every match.