Harleen Deol's Maiden Century Guides India to Equal Historic Record

The second ODI between India and the West Indies is underway, with India leading the series 1-0. India won the toss and opted to bat first on the flat Vadodara pitch, and they’ve made the most of the conditions, equaling their highest-ever total in ODIs by posting an impressive 358 runs. The star of the innings was Harleen Deol, who scored her maiden century, anchoring the Indian total. Valuable contributions also came from Smriti Mandhana, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Prathika Rawal, all of whom scored fifties, adding vital runs to help India set a formidable target for the West Indies.

Harleen Deol Maiden Century

India continued their strong form in the second ODI against the West Indies, building on their excellent opening partnership. The opening duo of Smriti Mandhana and her new partner Prathika Rawal kept up their momentum, combining for another 100-run stand. This partnership was crucial, with Smriti Mandhana continuing her brilliant run of form, registering her 6th consecutive fifty in international cricket. Alongside her, Prathika Rawal played a crucial role, scoring her maiden fifty in only her second match for India. The opening stand was ended unexpectedly due to a run-out caused by miscommunication between the two, resulting in Smriti Mandhana losing her wicket.

Following Mandhana's dismissal, Harleen Deol walked in to join Rawal at the crease. The two built another strong partnership, keeping the scoring rate high throughout. India maintained a healthy run rate of over 5.9 and 6 runs per over, which helped them set a strong foundation for the later stages of their innings. The next successful partnership came between Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Deol, who combined to score a 100-run stand, further strengthening India's position.

The highlight of the innings came when Harleen Deol reached her maiden century. She brought up the landmark in just 98 balls, a moment that was special not just for her, but for the entire team. Harleen had been in great form ever since being promoted to number 3 in the batting order, and this century had been a long time coming. Her consistency in ODIs had been impressive, and the century was a reward for her hard work and determination. As she reached her milestone, the entire Indian dressing room stood up to applaud her achievement. Harleen took a deep breath and continued her knock, but eventually, she was dismissed for a well-made 115 runs off 103 balls, leaving a strong impact on the game.

Jemimah Rodrigues Quick Finish

After Harleen's departure, Jemimah Rodrigues took over and played a brilliant knock. She reached her fifty in just 36 balls, showcasing her aggressive style of batting. She finished her innings in style, contributing vital runs to India's total. By the end of the 50th over, India had posted a commanding 358/5, which was their highest-ever total in ODIs, equalling their previous record.

This dominant performance with the bat highlighted India's depth in their batting line-up, with contributions from all key players. The partnerships, led by Mandhana, Rawal, Deol, and Rodrigues, set a solid foundation, while the aggressive strokes in the middle overs helped India reach a formidable total. With the West Indies now facing a tough chase, India’s strong batting display has put them in a commanding position to win the match and extend their lead in the series.