Smriti Mandhana on Tuesday became the proud owner of 10 consecutive 50-plus scores in ODIs while chasing, which is a record across genders in international cricket.
Opener Mandhana hit a sparkling 80 not out off 64 balls as India women outplayed South Africa by nine wickets in the second ODI to level the five-match series 1-1.
The 24-year-old Mandhana, who incidentally sports the same jersey number (18) as Virat Kohli, went past New Zealand’s Suzie Bates, who had nine successive 50-plus scores in ODIs while chasing. No other cricketer, either male or female, has scored more than six 50-plus scores in consecutive ODIs while chasing.
Medium-pacer Jhulan Goswami was the other star performer for India. Pictures courtesy Twitter
Medium-pacer Jhulan Goswami was the other star performer for India. Goswami returned with figures of 10-0-42-4 as India dismissed South Africa for a paltry 157.
Mandhana and Punam Raut (62 not out off 89 balls) then shared an unbeaten 138-run partnership for the second wicket with India overhauling the target in only 28.4 overs.
Going strong
Goswami, who is the highest wicket-taker in women’s ODIs with 231 scalps, said she is not short on motivation even at the age of 38. “Representing India is the biggest motivation for me. I don’t think you have to look elsewhere for motivation,” she said during the post-match media interaction.
Brief scores: South Africa 157 in 41 ovs (L. Goodall 49; J. Goswami 4/42). India 160/1 in 28.4 overs (S. Mandhana 80n.o., P. Raut 62 n.o.). India won by 9 wickets.