“One woman show!”- Twitter erupts as Smriti Mandhana makes mockery of Irish bowlers with her scintillating knock
Mandhana had missed her first match in India's campaign opener against Pakistan due to a finger injury. But despite that, the 26-year-old became the highest run-scorer in the tournament.
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Smriti Mandhana
India’s star batter Smriti Mandhana shined against Ireland in India’s fourth Group match in the ongoing Women’s T20 World Cup on Monday (February 20) at the St George’s Oval in Port Elizabeth. It was her back-to-back half-century knock in the tournament.
Choosing to bat first after winning the toss, the opening pair of Mandhana and Shafali Verma gave a fiery start by stitching a 62-run stand between them, before Laura Delany sent the latter back for 24 runs off 29 balls.
Mandhana stayed glued to the crease despite the regular fall of wickets and, she completed her half-century. But on the fourth ball of the penultimate over, Oria Prendergast delivered a full ball which Mandhana smashed down the ground but Gaby Lewis at the deep pouched a brilliant catch.
Mandhana batted at an impressive strike rate of 155.36, scoring 87 runs off 56 balls, including nine boundaries and three maximums. It was her career-best knock in India’s must-win game.
Check how Twitter reacted to Smriti Mandhana’s knock
Mandhana had missed her first match in India’s campaign opener against Pakistan due to a finger injury. But despite that, the 26-year-old became the highest run-scorer in the tournament, having scored 149 runs in three matches.
Against West Indies, she added just 10 runs but played a brilliant knock against England where India registered their first loss by 11 runs. In total, Mandhana has played 115 T20I matches, amassing 2,800 runs, including 21 half-centuries.
Apart from Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues added 19 runs from 12 balls, while skipper Harmanpreet Kaur could score 13 runs. India reached a good total of 155/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
And about the bowlers, Laura Delany picked up three wickets, Prendergast got two, while Kelly scalped one. Ireland have started their batting and 13 nine runs for two wickets.
It’s worth noting that skipper Harmanpreet Kaur is playing her 150 T20I match, the most by a cricket player (men and women). India skipper Rohit Sharma has played the most number of matches in Men’s cricket (148).
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Gouri Das
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