IND-W vs WI-W: Fans celebrate in jubilation as Harleen Deol smashed her maiden ton against West Indies during 2nd ODI

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The cricketing world witnessed a remarkable performance on December 24, as Harleen Deol scored her maiden One Day International (ODI) century during the second ODI against West Indies at the Kotambi Stadium in Vadodara. This achievement not only marked a significant personal milestone for Deol but also contributed to a dominant display by the Indian women’s cricket team, setting the stage for a potential series victory.

Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal’s stellar start to the innings

India’s innings began with a flourish, thanks to openers Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, who laid a solid foundation. Mandhana’s aggressive batting saw her score 53 runs off just 47 balls before being run out, which ended a productive 100-run partnership with Rawal. The young opener continued to impress, scoring her maiden ODI fifty with a commendable 76 runs off 86 balls. This strong start allowed Harleen to enter the crease in a position of strength, where she was tasked with maintaining the momentum established by her teammates.

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Harleen Deol strikes her maiden century

Coming in at number three, Harleen showcased her exceptional batting skills. With poise and precision, she navigated through the West Indies bowling attack, displaying an array of elegant strokes. Her innings was characterized by aggressive shot selection, particularly against loose deliveries, which allowed her to find gaps effortlessly. Harleen reached her half-century in 62 balls and accelerated towards her century, eventually scoring 115 runs off 103 balls, including an impressive 16 boundaries. She completed her century with a boundary off Shamilia Connell in the 47th over, solidifying her status as one of India’s key players in the match.

Harleen’s strategic partnerships take India to a massive total

Harleen’s innings was not just about individual brilliance; it was also about building crucial partnerships. After Mandhana’s dismissal, she formed a vital 62-run partnership with Rawal. Following this, she collaborated with captain Harmanpreet Kaur to add another 43 runs before Kaur fell cheaply for 22 runs. Throughout these partnerships, Harleen remained composed, ensuring that India kept the scoreboard ticking and maintained their aggressive approach.

Harleen’s outstanding performance was pivotal in propelling India to an impressive total of 358 runs for five wickets—tying their highest-ever total in women’s ODIs. This score was bolstered by Jemimah Rodrigues‘ explosive knock of 52 runs off just 36 balls, contributing to a remarkable 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket between her and Harleen. With four of the top five batters scoring fifties, India demonstrated their batting depth and resilience against the West Indies bowling attack.

Here’s how fans reacted:

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This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

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