Ireland's captain, Gaby Lewis, won the toss and decided to bat first in the opening match of the historic Women's ODI series against India in Rajkot on Friday, January 10, 2025. This recorded the 1st-ever bilateral series between the 2 teams, adding special relevance to the contest.
India Riding High on Recent Success
Team India, led by stand-in skipper Smriti Mandhana, enters the series with immense confidence following a dominant display against the West Indies. India swept the ODI series 3-0 and secured a 2-1 victory in the T20 series. Mandhana shone as the star performer, amassing 148 runs in the ODIs, including two half-centuries, and an impressive 193 runs in the T20s with three consecutive fifties.
This series holds significant importance for the Ireland women's team as they aim to earn qualifier points for a spot in the 2025 Women's ODI World Cup. Meanwhile, India, having already secured their place as hosts, will use this series as crucial preparation for the upcoming World Cup.
Ireland’s Challenge
Under the leadership of Gaby Lewis, with Orla Prendergast serving as vice-captain, Ireland faces a formidable Indian side. Although Ireland has never beaten India in their 12 previous ODI encounters, the team hopes to deliver a surprising performance. Their playing XI includes Sarah Forbes, Gaby Lewis (c), Una Raymond-Hoey, Orla Prendergast, Laura Delany, Leah Paul, Coulter Reilly (wk), Arlene Kelly, Georgina Dempsey, Freya Sargent, and Aimee Maguire.
Spotlight on India's Key Players
In the absence of regular skipper Harmanpreet Kaur and pacer Renuka Singh, the Indian team will rely on Smriti Mandhana's leadership and form. Mandhana has been exceptional, with five consecutive fifties in recent matches. Players like Harleen Deol, who scored a brilliant 115 in the last ODI series, along with Pratika Rawal and Jemimah Rodrigues, are expected to step up.
The Numbers Game
India's record against Ireland is overwhelmingly positive, with the last encounter resulting in a narrow five-run victory for India during the 2023 T20 World Cup. This lopsided history adds pressure on the Irish side to rewrite the script.
The first ODI is taking place at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot. With both teams looking to make a mark, cricket enthusiasts are in for an exciting match.
Women's Bilateral Series, Indian Women's Cricket Team, Ireland Women's Cricket Team, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues
