"THE QUEEN OF INDIAN CRICKET" - Fans erupt as Harmanpreet Kaur slams 103* off 88 balls in IND-W vs SA-W 2nd ODI
India women's team captain Harmanpreet Kaur led from the front against South Africa women in the second ODI of the three-match series at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Wednesday (June 19). The right-hander scored an unbeaten 103 runs off 88 balls with the help of three sixes and nine boundaries.
She also shared a 171-run partnership with Smriti Mandhana for the third wicket to lay the foundation for a 300+ total. This was Harmanpreet's sixth century in the 50-over format. Only former India captain Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana have more tons (seven) in ODIs for the Women in Blue.
Harmanpreet achieved the landmark in the 50th over of India’s innings. She smashed a four, a six, and then another boundary against Nonkululeko Mlaba to reach the milestone. Harmanpreet removed her helmet and lifted her arms in joy as the dressing room and crowd celebrated the 87-ball hundred.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) lauded Harmanpreet Kaur for her sixth ODI century.
One user wrote:
"Captain Fantastic."
Another user wrote:
"Captain, Leader, Legend, Harmanpreet Kaur."
"Innings of the highest class," shared one user.
"What a performance by Harmanpreet Kaur - THE QUEEN OF INDIAN CRICKET," another fan wrote.
Here are a few more reactions:
Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana’s centuries help IND-W set a 326-run target for SA-W in 2nd ODI
Centuries from Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana helped India post 325/3 against South Africa in the second ODI.
Apart from Harmanpreet, Mandhana scored 136 off 120 deliveries, hitting two sixes and 18 boundaries. Richa Ghosh stayed unbeaten on 25 off 13, with the help of one six and three boundaries. Dayalan Hemalatha and Shafali Verma chipped in with 24 (41) and 20 (38), respectively.
Nonkululeko Mlaba starred with the ball for the Proteas, returning with figures of 2/51, while Masabata Klaas bagged one wicket.
Mandhana lauded Harmanpreet for scoring a quick century on what she reckoned was a difficult Chinnaswamy pitch. She said in the mid-match show:
“The wicket wasn't playing the way it was in the first match. So, had to change a few things initially, not used to being 0 off 18 balls, but I had to tackle that situation."
"Later on, when Harmanpreet came, she batted beautifully from the first ball and made my job easy. Really happy that we could get a 300+ score and she could get a hundred in the last over, ” she added.
India are leading the three-match ODI series against South Africa 1-0. They beat the visitors by 143 runs in the opening game, courtesy of a century from Smriti Mandhana (117 off 127). Asha Sobhana also bagged a four-wicket haul in what was her ODI debut.
Follow the IND-W vs SA-W 2nd ODI live score and updates here.