Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal both scored centuries vs New Zealand. (Express Photo | Narendra Vaskar)Pratika Rawal slammed her maiden Women’s World Cup century as India were firmly in the driver’s seat in the crucial league match against New Zealand on Thursday in Navi Mumbai. This was the 25-year-old’s 2nd ODI century with the batter Rawal also becoming the joint-fastest woman to reach 1000 ODI runs in only 23 innings, equalling a 37-year-old record held by Australia’s Lindsay Reeler.
Rawal got to her century on Thursday in 122 deliveries in an innings peppered with 13 fours. India vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and Rawal’s opening partner also scored a century before departing for 109 runs. To get to her ton, Mandhana took 88 deliveries in an innings studded with 10 fours and 4 sixes. It was also her 5th century in a calendar year, tying Tazmin Britts in the first position who also has 5 in 2025 as well. Mandhana also climbed to the second position in the list for players to have most 100s in ODIs with 14, just one less than Australia’s Meg Lanning.
The 212-run partnership for the opening wicket between Pratika and Mandhana is the fourth highest for the opening wicket and fifth highest for any wicket for India in women’s ODIs. The 320-run partnership between Deepti Sharma and Punam Raut against Ireland in 2017 remains the highest opening as well any wicket partnership for India in women’s ODIs. The 212-run partnership is the 30th highest partnership for any wicket in women’s ODI and 15th highest for the opening wicket in women’s ODIs.
Earlier, New Zealand skipper Sophie Devine won the toss and elected to bowl against India on Thursday. Hosts India, who are on a three-match losing streak, have made one change, bringing back the experienced Jemimah Rodrigues in place of all-rounder Amanjot Kaur. New Zealand, who have had two games washed out, are unchanged.
India Women: Pratika Rawal, Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, Harmanpreet Kaur(c), Jemimah Rodrigues, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh(w), Sneh Rana, Kranti Gaud, Shree Charani, Renuka Singh Thakur.
New Zealand Women: Suzie Bates, Georgia Plimmer, Amelia Kerr, Sophie Devine(c), Brooke Halliday, Maddy Green, Isabella Gaze(w), Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Lea Tahuhu, Eden Carson.
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