Harmanpreet Kaur, India Women’s captain, stole the show in the third One-Day International against England Women, scoring her eighth century in the format on Tuesday, July 22 at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. Harmanpreet equaled Mithali Raj’s record of the second-most hundreds for India Women in ODI history with her stunning performance when the Indians batted first. She is now joint second on the list, trailing only ace batsman Smriti Mandhana, who has 11 centuries.
Harmanpreet Kaur, popularly known as Harry by colleagues, batted with a remarkable strike rate of 121.42 throughout her 84-ball stay at the crease, scoring an incredible 102 runs. Her knock was the driving force behind the visiting side’s dominating total of 318-5 after 50 overs in the series decider. She began carefully, but did not miss any loose deliveries, scoring 14 boundaries in her knock, bringing her even with her former captain and comrade.
Jemimah Rodrigues shares her experience of batting with captain Harmanpreet Kaur
Jemimah Rodrigues had been a good companion of her captain. They added 110 runs in the fourth wicket. Good support was provided by Jemimah who registered a robust half-century. The Mumbai player scored her 50 runs in her 50 th ODI. At the innings break she was chatting, and said that she was as glad as she could be to be able to assist in such an intelligent and concerted alliance.
“Didn’t know it was my 50th game but it feels special. Anything for the country. Just glad to contribute a partnership [with Harmanpreet]. We decided, up to the 40th [over], we go 5-6 runs and over, then anything in our area we go for it,” she said.
Harmanpreet Kaur completes 4000 ODI runs
In her 129th innings, the attacking batter broke the 4000-run barrier in 50-over internationals. The Punjab native has 19 half-centuries in the format, making her one of the Women in Blue’s most consistent middle-order batters throughout the years. Her 102 was also her third century as a senior professional versus England Women, the only team she has multiple hundreds against.
Most centuries for India Women in ODIs
| SR. NO. | PLAYER NAME | NO. OF CENTURIES |
| 1 | Smriti Mandhana | 11 |
| 2 | Harmanpreet Kaur | 7 |
| 3 | Mithali Raj | 7 |
| 4 | Punam Raut | 3 |
| 5 | Thirush Kamini | 2 |
