In the world of cricket, the excitement of the game often goes hand in hand with moments of sheer disbelief. One such incident occurred during the second ODI in between India and West India On 24 December 2024 at the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara. Smriti Mandhanaa player noted for his outstanding batting prowess found himself at the center of a comedic but unsuccessful run that left fans and commentators shaking their heads.
Smriti Mandhana’s steady start ends in a comedy of errors
Mandhana opened the batting alongside Pratika Rawaland together they laid a solid foundation for India and reached a commendable partnership of 110 runs. The Indian batting unit got off to a flying start, with Mandhana looking particularly dangerous as he raced to 53 runs off just 47 balls. However, the momentum took a sharp turn in the 17th minute Karishma Ramharack.
Rawal called for two runs immediately as he played a shot towards square leg. Mandhana answered but was soon caught in a web of confusion as Rawal reconsidered his call and tried to send his partner back. The result was disastrous; Mandhana, who decides to run away, finds herself trapped as Raval hesitates. Ramharack quickly took the ball and threw it to the goalkeeper To Shemaine CampbellMandhana’s fate was met with the hostages being dislodged and she had no choice but to return to the pavilion.
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—Sunil Gavaskar (@gavaskar_theman) December 24, 2024
The reason behind the elopement between Pratika Raval and Mandhana
What made this run particularly entertaining was the sheer misunderstanding between Mandhana and Rawal. In cricketing terms, this is often referred to as the ‘comedy of errors’. Both players seemed on different wavelengths; While Raval concentrated on his escape, Mandhana was unaware of the change of plans until it was too late. The sight of Mandhana turning back mid-run added to the comic relief as she could do nothing but helplessly watch her wicket fall.
A setback in another brilliant season
Despite this unfortunate dismissal, Mandhana’s form leading up to this match was not perfect. He recently reclaimed the record for the most international runs in a calendar year, hitting a brilliant knock of 91 in the first ODI against the same opponents. Her quick and effective scoring ability has made her one of the key players in Indian women’s cricket.
However, this run shows that even the best athletes are not immune to mistakes. This serves as a learning opportunity for both Mandhana and Raval as they look ahead to future matches. The Indian team will certainly be looking for better communication on the field as they aim to build on their strong performances.
Also READ: Richa Ghosh hits record fifty against West Indies in 3rd WT20I
This article was originally published here WomenCricket.coma Cricket Times company.
