IND-W vs WI-W : Centurion Harleen Deol Stars In India’s 115-Run Victory Over West Indies To Clinch Series

sanjeev

khelja|25-12-2024

The Indian women's cricket team delivered an outstanding all-round performance to secure a commanding 115-run victory over West Indies in the second ODI held in Vadodara on Tuesday, December 24.

Harleen Deol achieved her maiden international century, propelling India to a record-breaking ODI total of 358. Later, Priya Mishra claimed three crucial wickets, restricting the Caribbean team to 243 and ensuring a series win in the three-match encounter.

In addition to Harleen, Pratika Rawal (76 off 86 balls, with 10 fours and 1 six), Smriti Mandhana (53 off 47 balls, including 7 fours and 2 sixes), and Jemimah Rodrigues (52 off 36 balls, with 6 fours and 1 six) played key roles with the bat, helping India amass a massive total.

Mandhana and Rawal's solid partnership of 110 runs for the first wicket came off just 16.3 overs, marking their second consecutive 100-run stand in ODIs. The Indian vice-captain maintained her excellent batting form throughout the year, ensuring she finishes on a high with back-to-back half-centuries.

Harleen's first-ever century saw her join an exclusive group, becoming just the fifth Indian No. 3 batter to score an ODI hundred for the national team, alongside cricket greats like Anjum Chopra and Mithali Raj. This milestone highlights her rising prominence in Indian cricket and her capacity to deliver when the team most needed her. Harleen was eventually dismissed for 115, but by then, she had already fulfilled her role and contributed significantly to the team's cause.

"The last match I played, I thought of continuing that flow. Means a lot to me, when I was in rehab, I was thinking of scoring a century day in and day out. Ultimate goal was to make the team win and today was that dream so I just went with the flow," Deol said.

"When I came into bat, I just had that much time, I thought of playing some cricket. The more I play, the more shots I can play, that was on my mind, nothing else. When you are batting well, it's always easy no matter where you are batting," she further added.

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