Smriti Mandhana played a superb 106-run knock as India’s women cricket team registered their second win in the ongoing ICC Women’s World Cup tournament by thrashing West Indies by seven-wicket at the County Ground in Taunton on June 30. Chasing a target of 184 runs, India achieved it with 45 balls remaining. This is the second consecutive win for India in this tournament. They had defeated hosts and strong title contenders England by 35 runs on the opening day.
The Indian run chase was spearheaded by Smriti Mandhana who batted through the innings, posting an unbeaten 106 runs. Her 108-ball innings was studded with 13 boundaries and two sixes.
Indian even has so far played two matches in the tournament and interestingly in both the matches left-handed Mandhana grabbed the limelight for the way she played match-winning innings of 90 and 106 not out against England and West Indies respectively.
WATCH @mandhana_smriti anchor India to victory with a unbeaten century over West Indies #WIvIND #WWC17: https://t.co/xJHDSKfedE
— BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) June 30, 2017
In both her innings she played sensibly. In both her games she started her game with cautious and later on attacking the opposition bowlers all around the park.
Impressed with her style of playing, Mandhana’s fans started comparing her with Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara and former Indian opener Virender Sehwag.
After her hundred against the West Indies, Mandhana became the fifth Indian player to score more than one ODI 100. The others to do so are Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Thirush Kamini and Jaya Sharma.
Another step forward for us with the win against WI. Of course, another solid knock by @mandhana_smriti. @BCCIWomen @cricketworldcup #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/lSmpdiyqTc
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) June 29, 2017
Born on July 18, 1996, Smriti Mandhana has so far played 25 ODIs and scored 897 runs in 25 innings with 106 not out is her highest score against West Indies in the ongoing Women’s World Cup in England.
Team India will now face Pakistan in their next encounter on July 2.
Brief scores:
India: 186/3 in 42.3 overs (Smriti Mandhana 106 not out, Mithali Raj 46) vs West Indies: 183/8 in 50 overs (Hayley Matthews 43; Poonam Yadav 2/19, Deepti Sharma 2/27, Harmanpret Kaur 2/42)
