Captain Harmanpreet Kaur’s brilliant batting performance helped India Women to win their historic bilateral Women’s ODI (WODI) series against the hosts England Women this Wednesday (21st September 2022). The Indian skipper played a historic and record-breaking knock to achieve this incredible success.
Leading the three-match WODI series by 1-0, India Women were sent to bat first in that second WODI at St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury. While India Women scored a massive 333/5 in 50 overs, the hosts scored 245 runs before getting all out in 44.2 overs. India Women have now taken a 2-0 lead in this series before the third or final game of this series, which is also a part of the ICC Women's Championship 2022-25.
Harmanpreet Kaur – 143* (111 balls)
Indian captain Harmanpreet Kaur, who scored a match-winning 74 not out in this series opener, scored a massive 143 not out during that second WODI. In that 143 not out off 111 balls, the right-handed batter hit 18 fours and 4 sixes.
Also, the opener Smriti Mandhana scored 40 off 51 balls and Harleen Deol scored 58 off 72 balls. Yastika Bhatia (26), Pooja Vastrakar (18) and Deepti Sharma (15* off 9 balls) also played crucial supporting roles in that first innings.
In reply, England Women fought hard but they never threatened the target. While Danni Wyatt scored 65 off 58 balls, Alice Capsey (39), skipper Amy Jones (39) and Charlie Dean (37) lost their wickets in the late 30s.
Among the Indian bowlers, Renuka Singh bagged four wickets (4/57) while Dayalan Hemalatha collected two wickets (2/6).
Now, we are talking about some key records from Harmanpreet Kaur and India Women during that game.
Harmanpreet Kaur in record books
Harmanpreet Kaur’s 143 not out is now the highest score by an India Women’s captain in Women’s ODI history. Previously, Mithali Raj was holding that record with 125 not out (vs Sri Lanka Women at Katunayake on 16th September 2018). (New Record)
Harmanpreet’s 143 not out is now the third highest individual score by a player from India Women in Women’s ODI history. While Deepti Sharma is holding this record with 188 runs (vs Ireland Women at Potchefstroom on 15th May 2017), Harmanpreet is also in second place on this list with 171 not out (vs Australia Women at Derby on 20th July 2017).
Harmanpreet became the first Indian as well as first Asian player and sixth overall player in Women’s ODI history to score at least two 140+ runs. Former Aussie cricketer Belinda Clark is the only cricketer in this list to hit three 140+ in the WODI career. (New Record)
Harmanpreet’s 143 not out is the second highest score by an away captain in Women’s ODI history. The record is 151 by New Zealand cricketer Suzie Bates (vs Ireland Women at Dublin on 8th June 2018).
However, Harmanpreet 143 not out is the fifth highest score by a captain in Women’s ODI history.
Top 5 highest individual scores by captains in Women’s ODI history
Player (Team) | Runs | Opposition | Venue | Date |
Belinda Clark (Australia Women) | 229* | Mumbai | 16th December 1997 | |
Meg Lanning (Australia Women) | 152* | Sri Lanka Women | Bristol | 29th June 2017 |
Suzie Bates (New Women) | 151 | Ireland Women | Dublin | 8th June 2018 |
Belinda Clark (Australia Women) | 146* | England Women | Newcastle | 3rd February 2000 |
Harmanpreet Kaur (India Women) | 143* | England Women | Canterbury | 21st September 2022 |
Harmanpreet’s 143 not out is the third highest individual score by a player against England Women in Women’s ODI history. The top two records in this list are Aussie cricketers Alyssa Healy’s 170 (at Christchurch on 3rd April 2022) and Belinda Clark’s 146 not out (at Newcastle on 3rd February 2000).
India Women in record books
India Women’s 333/5 is their second highest total in Women’s ODI history. Their record is 358/2 in 50 overs (vs Ireland Women at Potchefstroom on 15th May 2017).
India Women’s 333/5 is the second-highest total against England Women in Women’s ODI history. The record is 356/5 in 50 overs by Australia Women (at Christchurch on 3rd April 2022).
However, India Women’s 333/5 is the highest away total against the hosts England Women in Women’s ODI history. The previous record was 305/9 in 50 overs by South Africa Women (at Bristol on 5th July 2017). (New Record)
India Women won the bilateral Women’s ODI (WODI) series against the hosts England Women after 23 years. After their 2-1 bilateral WODI series win during the 1999 England tour, India Women suffered six straight WODI series defeats against the hosts England Women before the ongoing England tour.
India Women won their second bilateral Women’s ODI (WODI) series against the hosts England Women. They created this history for the first time during the 1999 England tour.
