NEW DELHI: Indian opener
Smriti Mandhana
etched her name in the record books with an exceptional batting display in the third and final ODI match of the bilateral series between India and South Africa, played in Bengaluru on June 23. Mandhana's innings of 90 runs propelled her to become the highest run-scorer by an Indian woman in a bilateral ODI series.
Over the course of the three-match series, Mandhana amassed an impressive tally of 343 runs, surpassing the previous record of 308 runs held by former Indian batter Jaya Sharma, which she had set against New Zealand in the 2003-04 season.
Mandhana's dominant form was evident as she scored back-to-back centuries in the first two matches, becoming the first Indian woman to achieve this feat. Although she narrowly missed out on becoming the second player in the world to score three consecutive ODI centuries, her consistent performances were instrumental in India's series triumph.
Currently, Mandhana stands as the second-highest run-getter in ODIs for India, having accumulated 3585 runs, which include seven centuries and 25 half-centuries. Her prolific run-scoring abilities have solidified her position as one of the premier batters in the Indian women's cricket team.
In the third ODI, South Africa opted to bat first after winning the toss. Their innings was anchored by captain
Laura Wolvaardt
's 61 runs and Tazmin Brits' contribution of 38 runs, guiding the team to a total of 215/8 in their allotted 50 overs.
For India, the bowling attack was led by
Deepti Sharma
and Arundhati Reddy, who claimed two wickets each, while Shreyanka Patil and
Pooja Vastrakar
chipped in with a wicket apiece.
In pursuit of the target, India's chase was bolstered by
Harmanpreet Kaur
's 42 runs and an unbeaten 19 from
Jemimah Rodrigues
. Richa Ghosh's six over long-on sealed India's six-wicket victory in 40.4 overs, completing a comprehensive 3-0 series whitewash over South Africa.
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