India-W chronicle historic 304-run win to inflict clean sweep of Ireland in ODI series

The Indian women's team toppled a flurry of milestones in Rajkot as they blew away Ireland emphatically in the final ODI of the three-match series. A humdinger opening partnership between Smriti Mandhana (135) and Pratika Rawal (154) set the tone right from the start for the Women in Blue after India opted to bat first on winning the toss.

Mandhana played the role of an aggressor, clubbing a staggering 135 runs from just 80 balls and also notched up the record for the fastest century in WODIs for India, achieving the landmark in just 70 balls. She clobbered 12 fours and seven sixes during her knock and was aptly supported by Pratika Rawal, who, despite a slow start, was quick to switch gears and left Ireland reeling in agony.

The fall of Mandhana brought in Richa Ghosh to the center and the dynamic wicket-keeper continued with the carnage on the Irish bowlers. Ghosh blasted 59 from just 42 balls, hammering 10 fours and a six before Arlene Kelly dismissed her.

At the end of 50 overs, India finished on 435/5, with Rawal's 154, the second highest score for India in WODIs, standing out. With a record target to chase down, the Irish batting unit crumbled even before they could get the wheels in motion.

Sarah Forbes (44) and Orla Prendergast (36) were the only two beacons of very dimly lit hope for Ireland. Titas Sadhu opened the floodgates for Team India with the prized scalp of the Irish skipper, Gaby Lewis (1). Coulter Reilly departed to the military medium pace of Sayali Satghare even before she could open her account.

It was the partnership of Orla and Sarah that saw Ireland putting in a choc of resistance. However, after adding 64 runs for the third wicket, Prendergast lost her wicket to Tanuja Kanwar. From thereon, it was just delaying the inevitable for Ireland. The Indian bowlers called the shots with an iron fist as Deepti Sharma once again headlined the show with figures of 8.4-2-27-3 while Tanuja Kanwar contributed with a brace.

A wicket apiece from Titash Sadhu, Minnu Mani and Satghare, in addition to a couple of run-outs bowled out Ireland for a modest 131, fuelling India to their biggest win in the history of WODIs, by 304 runs. Pratika Rawal was awarded the Player of the Match and the Player of the Series for her incredible consistency.