Harmanpreet Kaur, Smriti Mandhana’s centuries vs West Indies has fans elated

Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana, India’s star performers against West Indies on Saturday, made sure the innings was power-packed with a flurry of boundaries and managed to put up a total of 317 for eight. Senior cricket analysts, fans and ex-players were ecstatic with their performance and praised them over social media.

Harmanpreet added 109 runs to the total while Mandhana’s knock of 123 runs ensured India set a difficult target for West Indies to chase.

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Harsha Bhogle, India’s top cricket commentator, wrote, “That was some innings from Smriti Mandhana! So classy and equally powerful on both sides. Joy to watch.”

Sachin Tendulkar also hailed the centuries registered by Kaur and Mandhana on Saturday and said that “they made batting look effortless.”

“Smriti Mandhana. What a player. Her second World Cup century. Both against West Indies – today in Hamilton and the previous one in Taunton in 2017. She is all class”, wrote cricket analyst and statistician Mazher Arshad on Twitter. 

Yuvraj Singh praised the “sensible stroke play and mature innings” of Mandhana and Kaur and congratulated them on their centuries.

Also Read: Mithali Raj scripts history in Women’s World Cup against West Indies

The partnership of 184-runs between Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur against West Indies on Saturday is the highest ever for India in Women’s World Cup history. The other top partnerships are:

-Thirush Kamini and Poonam Raut scored 175 runs in 2013.

-Mithali Raj and Poonam Raut scored 157 runs in 2017

-Chanderkanta Kaul and Anjum Chopra scored 151 runs in 2000.

-Mandhana and Raut scored 144 runs in 2017.

Yastika Bhatia scored a quick 31 off 21 balls as India were off to a good start, putting on 49 runs for the opening stand in 6.3 overs but once she departed, Mithali Raj (5) and Deepti Sharma (15) also followed suit, leaving India tottering at 78 for three, PTI reported.