Records Tumble as Indian Women Put On 320-run Opening Stand against Ireland

15 May 2017 marked a bright day in Women’s cricket as the Indian Women’s cricket team put on the highest ever partnership in Women’s cricket, of 320 runs shared between 19-year-old Deepti Sharma and Poonam Raut for the 1 wicket against Ireland. It was the eighth match of the ongoing Women’s Quadrangular series hosted by South Africa with India, Ireland, and Zimbabwe being the other participating teams.

Deepti Sharma who was playing in place of regular opener Smrithi Mandhana nursing a knee injury for a while now, has grabbed the opportunity with both hands as she blazed her way to a 160- ball 188 that included 27 boundaries and 2 sixes. It is the highest score for an Indian in women’s cricket and 2 highest overall behind Belinda Clark’s 229* v Denmark in 1997. Sharma was out bowled in the 46 over of the innings falling agonizingly short of her double ton by 12 runs. Her partner Poonam Raut scored 109 runs off 166 balls before retiring from her innings after the end of the same over. Shikha Pandey scored a quickfire 27 off 14 balls to propel the team total to 358/3 which is the highest total for India in Women’s cricket.

Indian Women bowlers then skittled out their opponents for just 109 runs in 40 overs handing them a 249-run defeat which is the sixth highest in terms of margin of victory by runs. Rajeshwari Gayakwad claimed a 4-wicket haul while Shikha Pandey returned with 3 for 16. The Indian women have won all four of their matches in the series so far.

Former India cricketer and Chairperson of the Women’s selection committee, Shantha Rangaswamy, clearly overjoyed by the team’s performance showered praise on the openers.  “It’s a great achievement for Indian women’s cricket. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Deepti is young and has a fabulous temperament. Her batting stands apart from most others and I think she has the capability to become one of the best all-rounders in world cricket in the years to come,” Shantha said, according to espncricinfo.com.

“I cannot forget the big centuries she and Thirushkamini got in Mysore against South Africa. Poonam has always been in my scheme of things. Her knock against Australia steered India to victory last year in an ODI. It was crucial in the context of the game. In England, where the ball will swing and bounce more, Poonam’s presence there will definitely benefit the team’s batting,” she added.