Published 10:48 IST, November 8th 2019
Smriti Mandhana reaches 2000 ODI runs faster than Virat Kohli
Smriti Mandhana became the 3rd-fastest woman and 2nd-fastest Indian to score 2000 runs in ODIs on Wednesday, achieving the feat before Indian Captain Kohli
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Indian batswoman Smriti Mandhana became the third-fastest woman to score 2000 runs in ODIs on Wednesday which added yet another feather to her cap. It took only 51 innings for her to go past 2000 runs in ODI cricket thereby becoming only the second fastest Indian after Shikhar Dhawan to achiever the feat who did it in 48 innings.
Mandhana was on sidelines due to a toe injury that kept her from playing the home series against South Africa. The Indian star opener, on her return, played an impressive innings as she scored 74 off just 63 balls to guide India to a 6-wicket win over West Indies in the third ODI. She smashed 9 fours and 3 sixes as India chased down 195 with ease and sealed the three-match series 2-1 in Antigua.
Mandhana reached the milestone quicker than Kohli
Mandhana has now scored 2025 runs from 51 matches at an average of 43.08. She reached this landmark faster than Virat Kohli who took 53 innings, Sourav Ganguly (52) and Navjot Sidhu (52). Among women cricketers, Mandhana is third after Belinda Clark who took 41 innings and Meg Lanning who took 45 innings to reach the milestone. In men's cricket, Hashim Amla is the quickest to 2000 ODI runs as he got there in his 40th innings.
On Wednesday, Mandhana commanded the West Indies bowling attack in what turned out to be an easy run chase for India in the series decider. Jemimah Rodrigues scored 69 off 92 balls as both stitched a 141-run partnership to lay the foundation of India's victory. Rodrigues and Mandhana got out in quick succession but Punam Raut and captain Mithali Raj ensured no further damage was done as they steered the team towards victory.
Earlier, India bowlers restricted West Indies to 194. Jhulan Goswami and Poonam Yadav grabbed 2 wickets each while Shika Pandey, Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Deepti Sharma picked one wicket apiece.
08:25 IST, November 8th 2019