Over the years, the Women’s Asia Cup has witnessed some outstanding batting displays, with top performances often turning out to be the differentiator in crucial situations. In this article, we go through the top 5 batting knocks in the history of the Women’s Asia Cup.
1) Jaya Sharma – 138* (150) vs Pakistan, Karachi 2005
Jaya Sharma’s unbeaten 138 against Pakistan, in the second edition of the Asia Cup, tops the list. It was India’s second match in that edition, played against the host Pakistan. India elected to bat first at Karachi, with Jaya Sharma opening the innings alongside Karuna Jain. India lost their first wicket, Karuna Jain, with 18 on the board. Jaya Sharma remained steadfast at one end and was involved in a 48-run partnership with Mithali Raj before Raj was dismissed for 19. Sharma began to accelerate her innings after the Indian captain’s dismissal. She was involved in a 223-run partnership for the third wicket with Anjum Chopra. Throughout her 138-run knock, she smashed 15 boundaries. Jaya Sharma’s century helped India to a total of 289, and they registered a 193-run win over Pakistan. She was named Player of the Match following her century. The left-handed batter was also the leading run-scorer during that edition with 258 runs. Jaya Sharma’s 138 remains the fourth-highest score by an Indian in a Women’s ODI match to date.
2) Mithali Raj – 97* (69) vs Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 2018
Former Indian skipper Mithali Raj is second on the list of top 5 batting knocks. During the first match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2018 edition, Mithali Raj struck 97 off 69 balls. India, electing to bat first against Malaysia had an ordinary start, losing their second wicket with just 35 runs on the board. Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur built an 86-run stand to help India back in the game. Mithali Raj batted throughout the 20 overs, smashing 13 fours and a six in her 97-run knock. Her innings came at a healthy strike rate of 140, falling just three runs short of a well-deserved century. Her innings helped India to put up a respectable total of 169. India secured a monumental 127-run victory over Malaysia as they were bowled out for a score of 27. Mithali Raj was named Player of the Match following her knock. It is also her highest score in the T20I format. She was the second leading run-scorer during that edition with 146 runs.
3) Harshitha Madavi – 81 (69) vs Thailand, Sylhet 2022
During the 2022 Women’s Asia Cup, Harshitha Madavi played a splendid knock of 81 against Thailand. Sri Lanka came into the match against Thailand after losing their opening game against India, followed by a win against the United Arab Emirates. The Lankan side elected to bat first against Thailand. Harshitha was involved in a 63-run partnership with Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu before the latter was dismissed for 12. Harshitha took the lead during that partnership, scoring most of the runs and was also then involved in a 61-run stand with Nilakshi de Silva. Harshitha scored 81 off 69 balls, smashing 10 boundaries throughout her innings. Her innings helped Sri Lanka put up a score of 156. The Islanders registered a comfortable victory, winning the match by 49 runs, which was their second win in that edition. Harshitha Madavi was named Player of the Match for her epic knock.
4) Jemimah Rodrigues – 76 (53) vs Sri Lanka, Sylhet 2022
Jemimah Rodrigues made her return to the team during the 2022 Women’s Asia Cup and announced her comeback with a dazzling 76, during the opening match against the Islanders. India were put into bat but didn’t get off to a good start, losing both their openers early, with 23 on board in 4 overs. Jemimah came to bat at number three and, alongside Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, was involved in a 92-run partnership before the Indian skipper was dismissed for 33. Rodrigues brought up her eighth T20I fifty, smashing 11 boundaries and one six at a strike rate of 143. Jemimah’s 76, also her highest score in T20Is to date, helped India post a total of 150. Eventually, India registered a 41-run victory over the Islanders, with Jemimah being named Player of the Match. She was also the leading run-scorer in that edition with 217 runs in eight matches.
5) Fargana Hoque – 52* (46) vs India, 2018
Bangladesh came into the match against India in the 2018 Women’s Asia Cup with one loss against the Lankan side and a win against Pakistan. But they etched their name in history by beating India, marking India’s first-ever defeat in an Asia Cup Final. India set a target of 142 against Bangladesh. Chasing a total of 142 was never going to be easy for Bangladesh, as they lost both their openers in the powerplay. However, Fargana Hoque, the top-order batter, scored an unbeaten 52 off 46 balls to guide her side to a famous victory. Alongside Rumana Ahmed, Fargana was involved in a 93-run partnership for the third wicket to chase down the total. Fargana smashed five boundaries and one six throughout her innings. The victory helped Bangladesh gain an advantage, eventually beating India in the final to win their first-ever Asia Cup.