New Delhi: Skipper Smriti Mandhana scripted history on Friday after she became the fastest Indian woman to score 4000 runs in ODI cricket. Mandhana achieved the big feat against Ireland women in the first ODI of the three-match series in Rajkot. The Indian captain scored 41 runs off 29 balls, giving her team a perfect start in the chase and broke the record.
Former Indian skipper Mithali Raj was the fastest and the first Indian woman to achieve the feat, reaching the milestone in less than 100 innings. Mandhana broke the record getting to the miraculous record in just 95 ODI innings. In the overall list, Mandhana is the third fastest woman behind Belinda Clark and Meg Lanning to reach 4000 runs in the 50-over format. a Clark took 86 innings to achieve the feat while Lanning claimed the record in 89 innings.
India beat Ireland in series opener
Meanwhile, India women registered a 6-wicket victory against Ireland in the series opener. Chasing 239 runs, India woman (241/4) reached to the target in just 34.3 overs with Pratika Rawal the highest run-scorer with 89 runs. Tejal Hasabnis contributed in the chase with an unbeaten score of 53 runs while Mandhana was classic up front with 41 runs. Harleen Deol also pitched in with 20 runs.
For Ireland women, Aimee Maguire claimed three wickets while Freya Sargent picked one wicket. Batting first, skipper Gaby Lewis top-scored for the side with 92 runs while Leah Paul emerged as the next best scorer with 59 runs. Arlene Kelly also chipped in with 28 runs at the last to push the total score. For India, Priya Mishra claimed two wickets while Titas Sadhu and Sayali Satghare claimed a wicket apiece.
The second match of the three-game series will take place on Sunday, January 12 while the third and final ODI will be held on January 15 in Rajkot.
Smriti Mandhana has become the fastest Indian woman to score 4000 runs in ODIs. She achieved the feat in the first ODI match against Ireland on Friday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
