Captain Smriti Mandhana laid the foundation with 73 off just 54 balls before Rodrigues‘ first hundred -102 off 91 balls – ensured a smooth finish for the hosts. Newcomer Patika Rawal (67) and seasoned Harleen Deol (89) also made merry of a sub-par bowling attack.
India women’s highest total in ODIs before this match was 358/2 which they posted against Ireland back in 2017. India’s first women’s ODI was played back in 1978.
The Indian total was purely based on two partnerships – 156 off 19 overs between Mandhana and Rawal and another 183 off 28 overs between Rodrigues and Deol. Altogether, the Indian women batters smashed an astounding 44 boundaries and three sixes in 50 overs.
Before this hundred, Rodrigues had played 40 women’s ODIs with just six half-centuries. But once she got the boundary off medium pacer Arlene Kelly, her relief was palpable as she did a mock guitar playing act with her willow.
