Harmanpreet Kaur Hits Historic Ton to Surpass Mithali Raj
Harmanpreet Kaur hits a brilliant 126 against Zimbabwe, surpassing Mithali Raj to climb the ranks of India's greatest WODI century makers.
In a masterclass of batting and determination, Harmanpreet Kaur has etched her name further into the annals of Indian cricket. During the second ODI against Zimbabwe on Sunday, the star batter smashed a brilliant 126 off 121 deliveries, officially moving past the legendary Mithali Raj to become India's second-highest century-scorer in Women's One Day Internationals (WODIs).
A Power-Packed Performance in Vadodara
India's journey to a massive total of 328/6 was not without its early jitters. After electing to bat first, the hosts suffered an immediate blow when Smriti Mandhana was dismissed in the very first over. The pressure mounted further as Shafali Verma also departed shortly after, leaving the top order in tatters.
However, Pratika Rawal stepped up to stabilize the ship, scoring a fluent 61 off 67 balls. Rawal shared a crucial 124-run partnership with Harmanpreet Kaur, ensuring that the momentum shifted back in India's favor before Rawal fell in the 23rd over.
Climbing the All-Time List
Harmanpreet Kaur took complete charge of the innings, blending aggression with precision to reach 126. This landmark knock marks her eighth ODI century, placing her second on India's all-time list. She now trails only the current Indian skipper, Smriti Mandhana, who holds the top spot with 14 centuries.
The innings came to an end when Michelle Mavunga induced a mistimed shot down the ground, which was comfortably caught by substitute fielder Kudzai Chigora at long-off.
The Deepti Sharma Surge
While Harmanpreet provided the backbone, Deepti Sharma provided the fireworks. The duo forged a devastating 153-run partnership that demoralized the Zimbabwean bowling attack. Deepti remained unbeaten, scoring a blistering 106 off just 86 balls, reaching her second career ODI century with a boundary in the final over of the innings.
A Historic Encounter
This bilateral series marks a milestone in itself, as India and Zimbabwe are facing each other in a women's ODI series for the very first time. By posting a formidable 328/6, India has set a daunting target of 329 runs for Zimbabwe, putting the visitors under immense pressure.
Key Highlights:
- Harmanpreet Kaur: 126 (121 balls) - Now India's 2nd highest WODI century scorer.
- Deepti Sharma: 106* (86 balls) - Unbeaten century to power the finish.
- Pratika Rawal: 61 (67 balls) - Vital recovery knock.
- Team Total: 328/6 in the first innings.