India registered a comfortable six-wicket victory over Ireland in the first women’s ODI of Ireland’s women’s tour of India at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot, on Friday (January 10). Directed by Smriti MandhanaIndia successfully chased down Ireland’s target of 239 with 93 balls to spare. Pratika RawalIt is composed of 89 and Tejal Hasabnis‘The quick shot 53 was not decisive in ensuring the team’s victory. Previously, Ireland captain Gaby Lewis He played a brave knock of 92, helping his team post a respectable total of 238/7.
Pratika Rawal’s winning partnership with Tejal Hasabnis
Rawal’s remarkable innings of 89 runs off 96 balls was the cornerstone of India women’s successful chase against Ireland in the first ODI in Rajkot. Opening alongside Mandhana, Rawal showed his class with a measured yet commanding performance. His innings, comprising 10 boundaries and sixes, ensured that India stayed ahead of the required pace despite losing wickets at regular intervals.
He showed excellent shot selection and adaptability, handling both pace and spin with ease. Rawal’s 116-run partnership with Tejal Hasabnis for the fourth wicket proved decisive, stabilizing India after a mid-innings wobble. His ability to find holes and rotate the strike complemented his occasional power, leaving Irish players scrambling for answers.
Gaby Lewis leads Ireland innings
Earlier, Ireland captain Lewis led from the front with a splendid knock of 92 runs off 129 balls, providing a solid platform for her team. Lewis’s innings was characterized by his ability to hold one end while piling on runs through elegant drives and timely cuts. She found support from Read Paulwho contributed valuable 59 runs in his 117-run stand for the fifth wicket.
However, Ireland’s inability to capitalize on this partnership in the death overs cost them a more imposing total. Lewis went down in 44th, trying to accelerate, leaving the Irish lower order with too much to do. Despite their efforts, a lack of boundaries in the final overs meant Ireland finished on 238/7, a target that proved insufficient against India’s batting power.
SEE ALSO: Priya Mishra’s mesmerizing delivery locks up Laura Delany in first ODI
India’s comprehensive bowling performance
India’s bowlers produced a disciplined performance to restrict Ireland to a manageable total. Titas Sadhu and Deepti Sharma set the tone with the first wickets, while Priya Mishra he emerged as the standout player with figures of 2/56, including the key dismissal of Lewis. Sayali SatghareOn her WODI debut, she was impressed with her economy, conceding just 43 runs in her 10 overs and claiming one wicket.
The bowlers were supported by strong fielding efforts, including two critical runs that kept Ireland in check. While there were occasional lapses in line and length, the Indian bowlers adapted well to the conditions and maintained the pressure throughout the innings. This collective effort ensured that Ireland’s batsmen were unable to accelerate significantly in the final overs, setting up a comfortable chase for the hosts.
This is how Twitter reacted:
Richa finishes it off with a boundary. A comprehensive victory for India. Ireland never had enough on the board for what the track was like. It started well with Mandhana and then Pratika and Tejal did well to ensure there were almost no hiccups after two wickets fell quickly. #INDVIRE
— Kartik O 🏏⚽🔗 (@KOCricket528) January 10, 2025
The way Pratika Rawal has stepped up, Shafali Verma will have to work very hard to regain her position. #IndvIre
—Leishemba Rajkumar (@leishembaa) January 10, 2025
Pratika Rawal is a great inclusion in the Indian women’s team, very consistent and a pure ODI batsman, she should be in the Tests set up too!#INDVIRE #INDWvIREW
– Hard Tegta (@iamharshtegta) January 10, 2025
Brilliant batting performance by team India 👏🏏#women #cricket #PratikaRawal #INDVIRE pic.twitter.com/Z01S2NsiST
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 10, 2025
We ask for तोडफोड batting, and #TeamIndia delivered! 🔥
Pratika 89 🤝Tejal 53*#AaliRe #INDVIRE pic.twitter.com/N1q6Q9kob9
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) January 10, 2025
Indian women develop some good bowling options with seams and wrist spins.
– Ian Raphael Obispo (@irbishi) January 10, 2025
Really happy for Tejal.
-Krithika (@krithika0808) January 10, 2025
India are now assured of a second place in the ICC Women’s Championship
It is easily their best effort ever, a very creditable effort considering how competitive this edition has been.#INDVIRE
-Mohit Shah (@mohit_shah17) January 10, 2025
Pratika Rawal played very well along with Tejal Hasabnis. “Both of them anchored the innings and ensured that team India won the first ODI.” #INDWvsIREW
– Gaurang Mestry (@Gaurang321) January 10, 2025
That’s all. India takes the first match of this three-match series. Despite the result, our team has a lot to build on.
Join us again on Sunday morning for the second ODI.#GreenBacking #FuelledByCerta ☘️🏏 pic.twitter.com/uplrxtTQJb
— Ireland Women’s Cricket (@IrishWomensCric) January 10, 2025
Also READ: IND-W vs IRE-W 2025, ODI series: Live streaming and telecast details: When and where to watch in India, Ireland, Australia, USA and other countries
This article was first published on WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times business.