The Indian Women’s cricket team is back on the field for the first time since history ODI World Cup they triumphed and did so with a resounding declaration. On a humid Sunday evening at the ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium in Visakhapatnam, the focus was not just on the team’s victory, but on the monumental individual milestone. Smriti Mandhanathe vice-captain and batting mainstay proved once again why he is considered one of the most elite players in modern cricket by etching his name into the history books.
Smriti Mandhana becomes fastest to reach 4000 runs in T20Is
In India’s chase of 122, Mandhana walked out with his usual grace. Needing just 18 runs to reach the career-defining milestone, he played a steady knock of 25 runs off 25 balls. In doing so, she became the first Indian cricketer to cross 4000 runs in T20 Internationals and only the second woman globally.
He joined the New Zealand legend Suzie Bates (4,716 runs) further outdistanced her teammates as the only two women to break the barrier. Harmanpreet Kaur (3,669 runs). What makes this feat even more remarkable is his scoring efficiency. Mandhana reached the 4,000-run milestone in just 3,227 balls, making him the fastest in history to achieve this particular feat (beating Bates, who took 3,675 balls). By reaching this target nearly 450 balls faster than the previous record holder, Mandhana cemented her reputation as the most efficient run scorer in women’s T20I history.
India had a commanding victory in Vizag
While Mandhana provided the historic moment, the match was a clinical display of team effort. India dominated the bowling first and the bowlers immediately put pressure on the Sri Lankan line-up. A young pacer Kranti Gaud Sri Lanka secured a major breakthrough by dismissing their captain Chamari Atapathu early.
Deepti Sharma led the spin attack with a masterful spell, finishing with 1/20 figures including the girl. Debutante Vaishnavi Sharma also impressed, showing great composure to finish with an economical 0/16 at 4 overs. Despite the battle from 39 Vishmi GunaratneSri Lanka were restricted to a sub-par total of 121/6 in 20 overs.
The chase was never in doubt thanks to a Man of the Match performance Rodrogus vote. After early fall Shafali VermaMandhana and Rodrigues put together a vital 54-run partnership. After Mandhana’s dismissal in the 9th over, Jemimah shifted gears with ease. He remained unbeaten on 69 off 44 balls*, including 10 elegant boundaries, as India won the match by 8 wickets.
Also READ: Jemimah Rodrigues, bowlers propel India to comprehensive victory over Sri Lanka in 1st T20I
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
