Top 5 highest individual scores by an Indian at home in women's ODIs ft. Smriti Mandhana
Historically, the Indian women's team have been fairly successful in ODIs, since making their debut in the format in 1978. They have reached the knockouts on four occasions in World Cups while emerging as runner-ups in 2005 and 2017.
Along with excellent performances from bowlers, some batters have also been impressive in depicting consistency and helping the Women in Blue to grow in this format. Their perseverance and dedication helped India prevail in crunch situations against tough opponents.
Smriti Mandhana's special knock created history on Sunday and placed her in the esteemed company of some players who produced a stunning knock at home ODIs. Let's take a look at the five best knocks by an Indian batter at home in the 50-over format.
#5 Jaya Sharma - 104* vs AUS, Chennai, 2007
India locked horns with Australia in the third game of the quadrangular series in Chennai. Batting first, the visitors posted a total of 213, courtesy of an impressive knock from Lisa Sthalekar (87).
In response, India had a decent 32-run opening stand between Karuna Jain and Jaya Sharma, before the former was dismissed in the ninth over. Then, the hosts lost key wickets of Mithali Raj (0) and Anjum Chopra (4) and were reeling at 63/3. It was a tough task for Sharma, but she stitched together partnerships with Hemlata Kala (18), Rumeli Dhar (22), and Amita Sharma (26).
In the end, Sharma kept her nerves to remain unbeaten on 104 off 140 balls, including 15 fours, and sealed the chase with one over to spare.
#4 Arundhati Kirkire - 106 vs WI, Gurugram, 2004
The Indian women's team headed to the fifth game of the series with a 4-0 lead in Gurugram on March 12, 2004. Batting first, India lost the wicket of Jaya Sharma (2) in the second over, when Arundhati Kirkire arrived at the crease.
Kirkire shared a 49-run stand with Anju Jain (24) to set the initial platform. Kirkire was prolific in rotating the strike, finding odd boundaries. She added 178 runs with Anjum Chopra (90). Her knock of 106 off 118 was put to an end by Anisa Mohammed in the 45th over, as India went on to post 256.
In the second half, skipper Mamatha Maben stole the show with figures of 4/23 to help the Women in Blue emerge victorious by 170 runs.
#3 Harmanpreet Kaur - 107* vs ENG, Mumbai, 2013
In the 2013 World Cup, Harmanpreet Kaur played one of her most impressive ODI knocks in a losing cause against England at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai. Batting first, skipper Charlotte Edwards (109) boosted England's score to 272.
In response, the Indian team were put in a spot of bother at 29/3 in the eighth over. But, Kaur played with a positive intent to find boundaries at will and stitch together a quality partnership with Karuna Jain (56).
Although the rest of the batters couldn't be potent enough, the right-handed batter did well to remain unbeaten on 107 off 109. However, the Women in Blue could only manage 240/9 and lost by 32 runs.
#2 Mithali Raj - 109* vs WI, Rajkot, 2011
The fourth game of India's ODI series against the West Indies on January 18, 2011, in Rajkot saw a close finish between both teams. India started on a bad note and could only add 38 runs in 14.3 overs. Then, Mithali Raj arrived at No.3 and changed the complexion of the game with her 108-run stand with Punam Raut (62).
Despite not getting support from other batters, Raj provided a strong finish to the side and remained unbeaten on 109 off 106 balls, including 12 fours. Her knock paved the way for India to compile a total of 216.
Thereafter, the Caribbean team tried well, with Stafanie Taylor (83), but fell short by 10 runs. Diana David picked up three wickets for the Indian team.
#1 Smriti Mandhana - 117 vs SA, Bengaluru, 2024
On June 16, 2024, in Bengaluru, Smriti Mandhana registered the highest individual score by a batter in Women's ODIs at home. She also surpassed the 7000-run mark across all formats.
Batting first, India were at 55/3 in the 12th over, with only Mandhana looking comfortable at the crease. Her ability to find boundaries in the extra-cover region and make good use of short balls to send them to the boundary held the key for India. At one point, India were at 99/5 in the 22nd over and were struggling to gain momentum.
However, Mandhana and Deepti Sharma (37) played with a positive intent to secure consistent boundaries. The left-hander reached her century off 116 balls and was dismissed on 117 off 127 balls, with 12 fours and a six.
Pooja Vastrakar contributed 31* as India posted 265/8 in 50 overs. Then, the Proteas women were all-out for 122, with debutant Asha Sobhana taking four wickets.