Harleen Deol achieves her first One Day International century during India’s impressive batting performance against the West Indies.

Harleen Deol shone brightly with her first ODI century, propelling India to their highest-ever ODI score against the West Indies. Her balanced yet assertive performance positioned her among the greats, highlighting India’s batting excellence in a commanding series performance.

 

In Short

 

Harleen Deol achieved her first ODI century in a mere 99 balls.

Mandhana and Rawal established a solid groundwork for the Indian team. Additionally,

India set a new record for their highest ODI score against the West Indies.

 

 

India’s Harleen Deol achieved her first One Day International century in a remarkable batting performance during the second ODI against the West Indies, reaching the milestone in just 99 balls on December 24 in Vadodara. The 26-year-old exhibited exceptional skill and poise, emerging as the standout player in a match where India outperformed the West Indies, led by Hayley Matthews.

Choosing to bat first, India commenced their innings with vigor, spearheaded by captain Smriti Mandhana. Mandhana delivered a well-crafted 53 runs off 47 balls before being dismissed due to an unfortunate run-out. Her opening partner, Pratika Rawal, also made a significant contribution with a solid 76 runs off 86 balls, establishing a robust foundation for the team’s innings. Nevertheless, it was Harleen who captivated the audience, taking charge of the game following the opening partnership.

Securing the third position, Harleen crafted her innings with great care, blending classical techniques with aggressive hitting. With the support of Jemimah Rodrigues, who made a swift contribution of 42 runs, Harleen intensified the scoring during the middle overs. Her assured footwork and accurate timing enabled her to dismantle the West Indies bowling attack, leading India to a formidable total, marking their highest-ever ODI score against the Caribbean team.

Harleen’s century placed her among the elite, making her the fifth Indian No. 3 batter to achieve an ODI hundred for the national team, alongside renowned players such as Anjum Chopra and Mithali Raj. This accomplishment underscores her rising prominence in Indian cricket and her capacity to perform under pressure when the team required it most. Harleen was ultimately dismissed for 115 runs, having already fulfilled her team’s expectations by that point.

India, having secured victory in the opening ODI in Navi Mumbai, now finds itself in an advantageous position to clinch the series. The team’s exceptional batting display in Vadodara, led by Harleen, has provided them with a significant psychological edge as they approach the final match.

For Harleen, this innings may prove to be a pivotal moment in her career, demonstrating her capability to assume greater responsibilities within the Indian squad. The overall performance of the team also indicates a positive trajectory in their preparations for upcoming international contests. With their batsmen performing at peak levels, India seems well-equipped to maintain its supremacy in the series and in future endeavors.