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The Indian women’s cricket team achieved a historic 304-run victory against Ireland in the third and final ODI of the series, played in Rajkot on Wednesday. This triumph marked India's biggest-ever win in women’s ODIs, breaking their previous record of a 249-run victory, also against Ireland, in 2017.
Batting first at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, India amassed a mammoth 435 runs, their highest-ever ODI total. Openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal led the charge with sensational centuries. Pratika Rawal celebrated her maiden international ton, smashing 154 off 129 balls, while skipper Mandhana struck a blistering 135 off just 80 balls.
The batting masterclass didn't stop there. Young wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh added a quick-fire 59 runs, making the Irish bowling attack look hapless throughout the innings. In response, Ireland managed to score just 131 runs, falling prey to India’s disciplined bowling. Star spinner Deepti Sharma led the attack with three wickets, ensuring the visitors never found any rhythm. The commanding win sealed a 3-0 clean sweep for India in the home series.
India's performance demonstrated their dominance in the ODI format, with their aggressive batting and clinical bowling creating a complete team effort. Fans were thrilled to witness such a record-breaking achievement, solidifying India’s position as a powerhouse in women’s cricket. This historic win also highlighted the rise of young talent like Pratika Rawal, who emerged as a promising star with her maiden century. The captain, Mandhana, praised her team’s efforts, calling the series a "special moment" for Indian women's cricket.