India Women delivered a dominant batting performance in the final of the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series against Sri Lanka, posting a mammoth total of 342 for 7—their highest-ever ODI total in Sri Lanka and the fifth-highest in their overall ODI history. This formidable effort was anchored by a magnificent century from Smriti Mandhana, who was in sublime touch from the very beginning.
Opening the innings with Pratika Rawal, Mandhana set the tone early as India opted to bat first. Although Rawal departed after scoring a steady 30 off 49 balls, her opening stand of 70 with Mandhana provided a solid foundation. Mandhana, unfazed by the early wicket, continued to dominate the Sri Lankan bowlers.
She reached her century in just 92 balls and stamped her authority with four consecutive boundaries off Chamari Athapaththu in the 31st over. Her knock of 116 off 101 deliveries included 15 elegant boundaries and was her 11th century in ODI cricket, placing her third on the all-time list for most women’s ODI hundreds—behind only Australia’s Meg Lanning (15) and New Zealand’s Suzie Bates (13).
Mithali Raj was the only Indian woman to score a century in an ODI final—until Smriti Mandhana joined her with a brilliant 116. Her knock is now the highest by an Indian left-hander in a final, rewriting history in style.
A crucial partnership followed between Mandhana and Harleen Deol, who added 120 runs for the third wicket. Their stand not only stabilized the innings but also ensured that the momentum stayed firmly with India. While Mandhana continued her fluent strokeplay, Harleen supported her brilliantly, rotating the strike and finding the boundary at key moments. Harleen eventually scored a valuable 47 off 56 balls, playing a vital role in setting up the big finish.
After Mandhana’s dismissal, the Indian middle order ensured the scoring momentum did not drop. Harmanpreet Kaur chipped in with a rapid 41 off just 30 deliveries, and Jemimah Rodrigues added a quick 44 from 29 balls, maintaining the high run rate. In the closing stages, Amanjot Kaur (18 off 12) and Deepti Sharma (20* off 14) finished the innings strongly, taking 15 runs off the final over to push the total to 342/7.
Sri Lanka’s bowling unit struggled to contain the flow of runs. Sugandika Kumari, Dewmi Vihanga and Malki Madara were the most successful among the bowlers, picking up two wickets each, although they conceded 59, 69 and 74 runs respectively in their full quotas. Inoka Ranaweera managed to pick up one wicket for 62 runs. Chamari Athapaththu went wicketless in her 8 overs and was taken for 61 runs, while Piumi Badalge’s two overs cost 17 runs without any success.
India’s final total of 342 for 7 not only set a new personal best in Sri Lanka but also broke their own record of 337 for 9 set in the previous match against South Africa. It now stands as the highest-ever women’s ODI total recorded in Sri Lanka by any team, overtaking previous benchmarks set by England (331) and New Zealand (329). It also marked India’s fifth-highest total in their women’s ODI history—an emphatic reminder of their batting firepower and growing consistency.
(Stats credit: Mohit Shah)
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