Smriti Mandhana and Harmanpreet Kaur put on an absolute show during India’s 2022 Women’s World Cup match against West Indies on Saturday, March 12 at the Seddon Park in Hamilton. Both batters scored centuries and helped their team post 317 on the board after India opted to bat first. It was an absolute treat for the fans as the left-right duo kept carting the bowlers around the park.
Mandhana came into the game after a single-figure score against Sophie Devine’s New Zealand. But she made amends after notching her second World Cup ton off 108 balls. It also happened to be her second ton in the mega event against the West Indies. Back in June 2017, the southpaw got a century in Taunton and helped India win the match by seven wickets.
On Saturday, she set the tone right from the word go and played her strokes. After getting to her fifty off 66 balls, the 23-year-old upped her game and stepped on the gas. She got to her ton in the 40th over after pulling Hayley Matthews for a four behind square.
After reaching her ton, she was over the moon and celebrated with her batting partner, Harmanpreet. She got out to Shamilia Connell after scoring 123 runs off 119 balls with the help of 13 fours and two sixes.
Harmanpreet Kaur stepping up
As far as Harmanpreet was concerned, she was going through a rough patch before the World Cup and former Indian skipper Diana Edulji even wanted her dropped from the national team. But the veteran batter has come out all guns blazing in the women’s mega event.
She scored a brilliant half-century against the White Ferns, although her knock went in vain. But she put her A-game forward against the Caribbean team. She scored 109 runs off 107 balls with 10 fours and two sixes before getting out to Aaliyah Alleyne.
Having lost three quick wickets for 78, India found themselves in trouble. But Kaur and Mandhana put on 184 for the fourth wicket to put their team in command. The duo also drew a lot of praises from the netizens.
Here’s how the netizens reacted to the twin tons from Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana
Excellent knocks by both @mandhana_smriti and @ImHarmanpreet. Team under pressure and they deliver. Loved the century for Smriti that too in 40th over. Waiting for Harman's now. #WIvsIND
— Sana Mir ثناء میر (@mir_sana05) March 12, 2022
Itni lambi innings me @mandhana_smriti ne kitni baar kaha “arrey Harry di hasso na yaar.” Superb 💯 guys. It was a delight to watch..!!! @ImHarmanpreet 💪🏻💪🏻 #CWC22 #IndvsWI
— Harleen Kaur Deol (@imharleenDeol) March 12, 2022
Terrific centuries from @mandhana_smriti and @ImHarmanpreet. They've set up the game for India!
— Joy Bhattacharjya (@joybhattacharj) March 12, 2022
Smriti Mandhana & Harmanpreet Kaur 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Clinical from India!!
— Alexandra Hartley (@AlexHartley93) March 12, 2022
The two centurions for India 👏🏻👏🏻. Simply outstanding today. A 184 run partnership allowing India to put 317 on board and make a strong impact with the bat against @windieswomen #CWC22 @ImHarmanpreet @mandhana_smriti pic.twitter.com/CsDl5b0U82
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) March 12, 2022
Finally, Harmanpreet Kaur gets into her groove… A real positive sign for Indian team… Mandhana & Kaur were absolute terrific today… Go defend this total girls.. #CWC22 #INDvWI
— Aviral Rai (@cric_fan23) March 12, 2022
Tried making something feat
Kaur 🤝 Mandhana #CWC22 pic.twitter.com/yN453PWytK— Mon (@4sacinom) March 12, 2022
Brilliant from both https://t.co/Kxj8iPFtTE
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 12, 2022
Need to make another version of it I guess. ❤ Both Smriti and Harman played jaw-dropping knocks, specially the way they paced their innings. But today I am more happy for Harman's ton tbh. I mean when I saw this last ODI ton of her, I used to go to school.Continue this.🥺 #CWC22 pic.twitter.com/5Z0cRR7BDR
— Ritwika Dhar #CWC22 (@RituD307) March 12, 2022
Very, very enjoyable India innings. Smriti was all class and Harmanpreet was equally classy. Was a very refreshing innings to watch from the Indian batters. #INDvWI #CWC22 #TeamIndia
— Niharika Raina (@niharika_raina) March 12, 2022
Very well played @mandhana_smriti @ImHarmanpreet @YastikaBhatia 👏👏
— Ishan Yadav Mahal (@BeingIshanCric) March 12, 2022
this is such a wholesome pic pic.twitter.com/mp60h9ccq1
— arijit 🇨🇮 (@starksreality) March 12, 2022
