IND-W vs IRE-W: India women clinch series 3-0, Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal slam tons in 304-run win

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IND-W vs IRE-W: India Women concluded the three-match ODI series against Ireland with a commanding 304-run victory in Rajkot, achieving a whitewash in record-breaking fashion.

Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal's scintillating centuries propelled India to their highest-ever ODI total of 435/5, the fourth-highest in women's ODI history.

Opting to bat first, India started with a record-breaking 233-run opening partnership between Mandhana and Rawal. Stand-in captain Mandhana smashed 135 off just 80 balls, including 12 fours and seven sixes. Her knock featured the fastest ODI century by an Indian batter, reaching the milestone in just 70 deliveries. Meanwhile, Rawal's maiden international century saw her compile 154 off 129 balls, becoming the third-highest individual scorer for India in women's ODIs.

After Mandhana's dismissal, Richa Ghosh took over, blasting 59 off 42 balls and forming a 104-run stand with Rawal. Rawal's tally of 444 runs in her first six ODI innings is unmatched in the format. Ireland's bowling attack struggled throughout, with Orla Prendergast being the only bowler to take two wickets, conceding 71 runs in her 10 overs.

In response, Ireland's chase faltered under relentless pressure from India's bowlers. Sarah Forbes (41) and Orla Prendergast (36) showed some resistance, sharing a 64-run partnership, but Ireland could only muster 131 runs. Deepti Sharma led the bowling attack with 3/27, while Tanuja Kanwar chipped in with 2/31. Kanwar also claimed her maiden ODI wicket.

India's fielding left room for improvement, with missed opportunities allowing Ireland to reach 100/3 at one stage. However, the lower order collapsed, with the last seven wickets falling for just 31 runs.

This victory marked India's biggest-ever win in terms of runs, surpassing their previous best of 249 against the same opposition in 2017. With this series win, India showcased their dominance, breaking several records and setting the tone for a strong season ahead. Smriti Mandhana, Pratika Rawal, and the entire Indian unit will take confidence from this commanding performance.