IND-W vs IRE-W: Mandhana-led India eyes continued dominance in first-ever women’s bilateral series against Ireland

Riding high on a dominant performance against West Indies, India, led by Smriti Mandhana, will aim to maintain the winning momentum in its first-ever women’s bilateral series against Ireland. The opening ODI is scheduled for Friday.

India recently swept West Indies 3-0 in the ODI series and claimed a 2-1 victory in the T20s. Mandhana, the standout performer, scored 148 runs in the ODIs, including two half-centuries, and amassed 193 runs in the T20s with three consecutive fifties. She now leads the side in the absence of regular captain Harmanpreet Kaur and fast bowler Renuka Singh, both rested for this series.

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The absence of Kaur and Renuka shifts responsibility onto batters such as Harleen Deol, Pratika Rawal, and Jemimah Rodrigues. Deol was the top scorer in the ODI series with 160 runs, including a stunning 115, while Rawal and Rodrigues contributed 134 and 112 runs, respectively, each scoring a fifty.

In the bowling department, Renuka’s absence leaves a void. She was the leading wicket-taker against West Indies with 10 scalps. Newcomers Titas Sadhu and Saima Thakor will need to step up. Sadhu, 20, has impressed with her pace and swing, taking three wickets in ODIs and 13 in T20Is, while Thakor, 28, will look to build on her tally of seven wickets in eight ODIs.

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Vice-captain Deepti Sharma will be pivotal with both bat and ball. She delivered a career-best 6 for 31 in the final ODI against West Indies. Support from spinners Priya Mishra and Tanuja Kanwar will be crucial, alongside all-rounders Raghvi Bist and Sayali Satghare, who bring depth to the squad.

Ireland, led by Gaby Lewis and supported by vice-captain Orla Prendergast, face a formidable challenge. They have yet to beat India in 12 ODIs. Prendergast, who has gained valuable experience in the WBBL, will be a key player as Ireland looks to test India on home soil.

Full squads

India: Smriti Mandhana (C), Deepti Sharma (VC), Pratika Rawal, Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues, Uma Chetry (wk), Richa Ghosh (wk), Tejal Hasabnis, Raghvi Bist, Minnu Mani, Priya Mishra, Tanuja Kanwer, Titas Sadhu, Saima Thakor, Sayali Satghare.

Ireland: Gaby Lewis (C), Ava Canning, Christina Coulter Reilly, Alana Dalzell, Laura Delany, Georgina Dempsey, Sarah Forbes, Arlene Kelly, Joanna Loughran, Aimee Maguire, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Una Raymond-Hoey, Freya Sargent, Rebecca Stokell.