Deepti Sharma produced a stunning 188-run knock, the second highest score in women's ODI, to set up India's massive 249-run win over Ireland in the quadrangular series here on Monday.
The 19-year-old from Uttar Pradesh shared a record 320-run opening stand with Poonam Raut (109) as India rattled a commanding 358-3 after skipper Mithali Raj won the toss and decided to bat first. Deepti's 160-ball superb innings was studded with 27 boundaries and two sixes, while Poonam hit 11 fours in her 116-ball 109 innings at the Senwes Park. Deepti is now behind top-scorer Australia's Belinda Clarke, who had cracked an unbeaten 229 against Denmark in 1997 at Mumbai. The knock is best by an Indian as she betterd the unbeaten 138 by Jaya Sharma against Pakistan in 2005.
India bundle out Ireland for a paltry 109 in 40 overs to hand the rivals an embarrassing defeat. Ireland never looked in the chase as they scored the first fifty in 18.4 overs, losing the wicket of opener Leah Paul (13) in the 17th over.
From there on, Ireland kept losing wickets and lost half their side in the 30th over for 75 runs.
Their downhill slide continued as they managed to bring up the team 100 in the 37th over before India quickly mopped up the tail. Mary Waldron (35) was the top-scorer for Ireland, while Jennifer Gray contributed with a 46-ball 26 as only four batswomen could reach doubles scores.
Left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad (4/18) scalped four wickets, while Shikha Pandey (3/16), who had provided the late charge with a 14-ball 27 for India, took 3 wickets, while DB Sharma (1/15) took 1. Agencies
World Cup team announced
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Monday announced the squad for the 11th ICC Women's World Cup, to be held between June 24 and July 23. Veteran batswoman Mithali Raj will captain the side that will compete in the eight-team competition Britain. India have never won the trophy. They finished runners-up in 2005 to Australia.