Harleen Deol lit up the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara on Tuesday with her sensational maiden international century against West Indies Women during the second ODI. Deol, known for her flamboyance and confidence, brought up her ton with 115 runs off just 103 balls, showcasing her immense talent and potential.
Stepping onto the crease after Smriti Mandhana's dismissal at 110/1, Deol showcased her class and composure, forming significant partnerships to help build India's innings. Walking out at No. 3, she first anchored the innings with Pratika Rawal, adding 62 runs for the second wicket, before combining with Jemimah Rodrigues for another impressive 116-run stand.
Deol’s milestone moment came on the first ball of the 47th over against Shamilia Connell when she picked up the slower leg cutter and sent it soaring between fine leg and deep square leg, prompting the crowd to erupt with joy. The celebration following her landmark was heartwarming, as she embraced her teammate Rodrigues, who rushed over, adding to the historical significance of the achievement.
Her 115 runs, laced with 16 boundaries, played a pivotal role as India posted 358 for 5—equaling their highest total ever recorded in women's ODI cricket. The total now stands alongside the performance recorded against Ireland back on May 15, 2017, where India scored the same figure. With this substantial score, the Indian team exhibited their batting prowess and depth, with four top-order batters crossing the 50-run mark.
India opted to bat after winning the toss, marking the first toss won by the team after five matches on this tour. With Mandhana leading the charge, she contributed heavily with 53 runs off 47 balls before falling to an unfortunate run-out. Rawal also enhanced the innings with her steady 76 off 86 balls, managing to calm nerves after her debut performance was less than stellar.
Deol's century places her among elite company as only the fifth Indian batter to score at least one ODI hundred at the No. 3 position, joining legends like Anjum Chopra and Mithali Raj. Her performance demonstrated not just her individual brilliance but also her readiness to step up when needed most by the team.
Jemimah Rodrigues complemented Deol's innings well, scoring 52 runs off 36 balls, ensuring India stayed aggressive until the end of the innings. Harleen was finally dismissed going for another big shot, trying to loft the ball over the cow corner, only to find the fielder, Aaliyah Alleyne, waiting to take her catch.
This match signifies more than just personal milestones for Deol, as it places the Indian women's cricket team on the map with their dominant performance against the West Indies. Following their commanding opening ODI win by 211 runs on the same ground, this subsequent victory has put India 1-0 up in the three-match series, with confidence soaring high.
With Deol now having crossed the 400-run milestone across 15 WODIs at an average of 33.53, this century is expected to set the tone for her career going forward. The desire to be consistent and impactful was evident as she took to the pitch with calculated aggression, showcasing her ability to adapt to the various phases of the game.
The Indian team and fans alike are hopeful this outstanding display of grit and skill marks the start of numerous accolades and records for Harleen Deol, as she cements her place as one of the promising stars of Indian women's cricket.
