India's opening batter, Smriti Mandhana, has imprinted
her name into cricket history by becoming the second-highest run scorer in
Indian women's cricket. Achieving this milestone during a match against South
Africa, she surpassed the remarkable 7,000-run mark, joining the elite ranks
alongside former India star Mithali Raj. Her impressive innings of 117 runs off
127 balls pushed her overall international tally to 7,059 runs, only behind
Mithali Raj’s outstanding record of 10,868 runs. Her journey to this
achievement has been nothing short of inspirational. She has consistently
proven herself to be a formidable force in women's cricket. She became the
youngest player in history to achieve the 7000-run mark with her sixth ODI
century, surpassing the five centuries scored by current India captain
Harmanpreet Kaur.
The milestone was achieved in a thrilling match against South Africa at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. Opting to bat first, India found themselves in a challenging position, struggling at 99/5. However, her fighting spirit and brilliant knock of 117 runs turned the tide in India's favour. Her century, the first on home soil, was a testament to her skill and determination. Her innings were laced with precise shots and smart gameplay, showcasing her prowess as one of the best batters in women's cricket. Deepti Sharma and Pooja Vastrakar provided strong support in addition to Smriti Mandhana's efforts. Deepti Sharma contributed a crucial 37 runs, forming a vital 50-run partnership with Smriti that helped stabilise the Indian innings. Pooja Vastrakar added 31 runs, further aiding India's quest to surpass the 250-run mark. These partnerships were crucial in building a competitive total against a resilient South African team.
Achievements and records
Smriti Mandhana’s cricket career has been adorned with numerous accolades and records. Several noteworthy accomplishments have highlighted her quick ascent in the world of cricket:
· Second-Highest
Run-Getter: Surpassing 7,000 international runs, second only to Mithali Raj.
· Fastest
to Six ODI Centuries: She reached six centuries in just 83 innings, a
remarkable feat compared to Mithali Raj’s seven centuries in 211 innings and
Harmanpreet Kaur’s five in 112 innings.
· First
ODI Century at Home: The knock of 117 runs against South Africa was her first
ODI century on home soil, adding a special touch to her achievement.
She will undoubtedly keep shattering records and
establishing new standards in women's cricket, given her present form and
tenacity. Her contribution to the Indian women's cricket team has been
invaluable, and she continues to inspire young cricketers worldwide. India’s
captain, Harmanpreet Kaur, is also on the verge of achieving a similar
milestone with 6,870 runs on the international circuit. The ongoing series
against South Africa presents an opportunity for her to join the elite list of
players with over 7,000 international runs. Smriti Mandhana’s recent
achievement of becoming the second-highest international run-getter in Indian
women's cricket is a significant milestone. Her dedication, skill, and passion
for the game have propelled her to the top echelons of cricket. As she
continues to play, cricket fans around the world eagerly anticipate more
record-breaking performances from this talented player.
Post a Comment