New Delhi: India Women players Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut etched their names in the history books when they smashed 320 runs for the opening wicket, in an ODI match against Ireland Women at the Senwes Park in Potchefstroom on May 15, 2017. Their century efforts set a new world record for the highest partnership for any wicket in Women’s ODIs and still stands tall after eight long years.
The record-breaking run-stand was achieved during the Women’s Quadrangular series in South Africa, in which Zimbabwe and the host nation took part alongside India and Ireland. This was the eighth match of the series and started with India opting to bat first. The team was led by then skipper Mithali Raj and had a 19-year-old Deepti Sharma as one of their openers, other than the experienced Punam Raut.
The two batters took the crease, and the rest, as they say, is history. They effortlessly took the Irish bowlers to the cleaners and cleared the boundaries with ease. Deepti looked to be in a ferocious touch as she completed her century and only stopped at 188, which came off 160 balls with 27 fours and two sixes. She was the first wicket for Ireland but only walked back in 45.3 overs, playing almost for the entire innings, and when the damage was already done.
Punam, on the other hand, smacked 109 runs off 116 balls laced with 11 fours and walked out retired hurt only three balls after Deepti’s departure, being in the middle for a complete 46 overs, in what was a gruelling affair. The two batters had taken the team’s scoreboard to 322/2, which ultimately stopped rolling at 358/2 after 50 overs. The 320-run opening partnership came off 275 balls, which alone turned out to be enough for the Irish team.
#OnThisDay, a partnership for the ages! 🏏
Deepti Sharma’s career-best and Punam Raut’s maiden century led India to the only 300-run stand in Women’s ODIs! 👏#CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/bDvcetA7iN
— Female Cricket (@imfemalecricket) May 15, 2025
Ireland’s response
As it was expected, the Irish women were not even close to giving a worthy competition to the India Eves as they were folded for 109 in just 40 overs. Their wicketkeeper-batter Mary Waldron was the only standout player as he top-scored with 35 runs, followed by Jennifer Gray’s 26 in the middle order. Shikha Pandey and Rajeshwari Gayakwad were the pick of the bowlers, getting three and four wickets respectively.
Meanwhile, Deepti starred with his all-around efforts as she picked up a wicket and was ultimately awarded as the Player of the Match. Making her international debut in 2014, Deepti continues to be an asset for the India Women’s cricket team in the current scenario, as his selection in the three formats is a no-brainer for the selectors, but the 35-year-old Punam has long been overlooked in the Indian team, having last featured in a Test match against Australia in September 2021.
In a women’s ODI against Ireland, Indian openers Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut stitched an opening stand of 320 runs, making it the highest partnership for any wicket in the format. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
