Smriti Mandhana sets unwanted record in Vadodara

When it felt like Smriti Mandhana would convert another fifty to a hundred, she got out for 91, her fourth nervous 90 score in Women’s One-Day Internationals (WODI). Zaida James trapped Mandhana right in front of the wickets during the first ODI against West Indies in Vadodara, as she walked off disappointed.

It was the fourth time Mandhana had been stranded in the 90s and her second time in the year, following a similar heartbreak in the clash against South African women (90) at home. It puts her on joint-highest with Stafanie Taylor, as most times stranded in the 90s. On the other two occasions, the left-handed batter was unbeaten in the 90s, taking her tally to six scores in the 90s. 

Six 90 scores is also the joint-most for any batter in Women’s ODIs, alongside Ellyse Perry, who also has suffered a similar fate. Stafanie Taylor (West Indies) and Mithali Raj (India) are the other two batters with at least five scores in the 90s. 

Smriti looked the best Indian batter in the first ODI against West Indies, with an aggressive approach, scoring 91 off just 102 deliveries, smashing 13 boundaries and striking at 89.22. It set up the perfect platform for the Indian middle-order to tee off and possibly post a huge total on the board.