Bengaluru, June 19 (FN Agency) In a dazzling display of batting brilliance, Smriti Mandhana and Captain Harmanpreet Kaur scripted a run fest for India against South Africa, culminating in a formidable total of 325/3 in the second of the three-ODI Women’s Bilateral Series at M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday. The duo’s remarkable centuries, Mandhana’s majestic back-to-back hundred and Harmanpreet’s sensational unbeaten ton, set the stage ablaze as India seized control from the very onset. Their sublime form and exquisite strokeplay left the South African bowlers gasping for breath, unable to contain the onslaught.Mandhana, from the moment she stepped onto the crease, exuded sheer class, treating the Bengaluru spectators to a spectacle of cricketing finesse. Her elegant strokeplay and impeccable timing saw her amass a magnificent 136 runs off just 120 balls, holding the audience spellbound with her masterful innings. Harmanpreet, not to be outdone, joined the onslaught with a scintillating 103 off 88 balls, embellished with nine boundaries and three sixes, stamping her authority with an explosive display of power-hitting. Her brutal assault propelled India’s innings to greater heights, as boundaries flowed freely in the latter stages, much to the delight of the roaring crowd.
The partnership between Mandhana and Harmanpreet, amassing 171 runs off 136 balls, laid the cornerstone for India’s imposing total, showcasing exemplary composure and determination throughout their respective innings. While the spotlight shone brightly on Mandhana and Harmanpreet, the early contributions of Shafali Verma (20 off 38 balls) added an extra dimension to India’s innings. The young sensation, with her aggressive strokeplay, provided the perfect platform for the middle order to capitalize on, before departing after a promising start. Not to be forgotten, Richa Ghosh’s cameo further bolstered India’s innings. Ghosh’s aggressive approach injected further impetus into India’s batting lineup, as she played a quickfire innings of 25* off 13 balls, scoring three crucial boundaries and a six at a crucial juncture, ensuring that India maintained the momentum towards the latter part of the innings. However, amidst the exhilarating display of batting prowess, the South African fielders will rue their missed opportunities, with dropped catches proving to be costly. Several chances went abegging, including those of Mandhana and Kaur, allowing the Indian batters to build crucial partnerships and post a daunting total on the board.As India prepares to defend their mammoth total, the stage is set for an enthralling battle between bat and ball. With Mandhana and Kaur leading from the front, India will be looking to maintain their momentum and clinch a resounding victory in this crucial encounter.