India W vs Ireland W: New Faces star as IND-W win 1st ODI in Rajkot

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India W vs Ireland W: India Women kicked off the ODI series against Ireland with a resounding six-wicket victory in Rajkot, thanks to stellar performances by newcomers Pratika Rawal and Tejal Hasabnis.

Chasing a target of 239, India sealed the win in just 34.3 overs, going 1-0 up in the three-match series. Ireland, electing to bat, posted a competitive 238/7 in their 50 overs. Captain Gaby Lewis anchored the innings with a gritty 92, narrowly missing out on a maiden ODI century due to cramps.

She was well-supported by Leah Paul, who contributed 59 runs from No. 5. The pair stitched together a crucial 117-run partnership after a middle-order collapse orchestrated by India's Priya Mishra, who struck twice in the 14th over to reduce Ireland to 56/4.

Despite the setbacks, late cameos from Arlene Kelly and Christina Coulter Reilly ensured Ireland batted through their innings. However, India's fielding woes, marked by four dropped catches, allowed Ireland to add valuable runs.

In response, India's chase began strongly with Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal adding 70 for the first wicket. Mandhana's aggressive 41, laced with pull shots, set the tone before her dismissal. Rawal, displaying maturity beyond her years, scored a fluent 89, her second ODI half-century, showcasing her ability to pace an innings effectively.

The star partnership of the innings came between Rawal and Tejal Hasabnis, who added 116 runs for the fourth wicket. Hasabnis, making the most of her opportunity in Harmanpreet Kaur's absence, scored an unbeaten 53 off just 43 balls. Her aggressive approach, highlighted by boundaries against Laura Delany and Orla Prendergast, helped India maintain a brisk scoring rate.

Rawal fell short of a maiden century, holing out for 89 while attempting a six, but her innings ensured the game was all but secured. Richa Ghosh finished the chase with two consecutive boundaries, sealing the win with 93 balls to spare.

India's dominance in the chase overshadowed Ireland's spirited batting effort. With this win, the hosts take a confident step forward in the series, with the next match scheduled to test both sides further.