WORLD RECORD: Indian women's cricketers Deepti and Poonam put on highest ever ODI opening stand

Photo: ICC New Delhi: Indian women’s cricketers Deepti Sharma and Poonam Raut put on a record-breaking 320-run opening stand against Ireland in a Women’s Quadrangular Series match in South Africa. Opting to bat first, India slammed a mammoth 358 for 3 at the end of 50 overs. Poonam and Deepti put on a 320 run opening stand – the highest ever in the history of women’s cricket for any wicket. In fact, this mind blowing opening stand also overpowered Tharanga and Jayasuriya’s 286-run world record ODI partnership for the first wicket. Deepti Sharma scored 188 runs off just 167 balls, laced with as many as 27 fours and 2 sixes. The left handed opener’s effort is the second highest individual score in women’s cricket, behind Belinda Clarke’s 229*. Deepti’s partner Poonam Raut scored 109 off 116 balls before getting retired out. The hapless Ireland bowling attack had no answers to the onslaught. They had to wait for 45 long overs for their first wicket in the match. After the openers were dismissed, Ekta Bisht played a lovely 27-run cameo off 14 balls to take India past 350. The Indian openers were so dominating that there was no need for the likes of Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur. The Indian eves have been in scintillating form in the Quadrangular Series, registering 3 wins in as many matches. The way the current match is panning out it is only a matter of time before India advances to the final with an all win record. South Africa and Zimbabwe are the other two teams in the tournament.