Harmanpreet Kaur Achieves Sixth ODI Hundred In Dramatic Clash With South Africa Women

INDW vs SAW: Twitter celebrated India Women captain Harmanpreet Kaur after she achieved her sixth ODI century in a spectacular manner during the second ODI against South Africa Women at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

The right-handed batter required 12 runs off the last four balls of the 50th over to reach her century. She hit a four, a six, and another four to complete an 87-ball hundred. The 35-year-old concluded her innings with an unbeaten 103 runs off 88 balls, including nine fours and three sixes.

Harmanpreet Kaur now ranks behind Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj for the most Women's ODI centuries by an Indian batter. Her deputy, Mandhana, also scored a century, equalling former India captain Mithali Raj's record of seven Women's ODI centuries for India.

Captains knock from Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur ⚡ pic.twitter.com/1OjOSldJyh

CRICGLOBE (@thecricglobe) June 19, 2024

• Mithali Raj: 7
• Smriti Mandhana: 7
• Harmanpreet Kaur: 6

The third-wicket partnership between Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana (136 off 120 balls) contributed significantly to India's total, adding 171 runs off just 136 balls. Their impressive performance helped India Women finish at 325/3 in their allotted 50 overs.

Harmanpreet Kaur recently dropped to the 11th spot in the latest women's ODI batting rankings updated by the ICC on Tuesday. Currently, Mandhana (3rd) is the only Indian batter in the top 10.

However, following her outstanding innings in the second ODI, Harmanpreet Kaur appears poised to re-enter the top 10. She will have another opportunity to improve her rankings when India Women face South Africa Women in the third and final T20I on Sunday.