Former selector Shanta Rangaswamy credits Deepti Sharma, Poonam Raut for their record-breaking stand

The day was not short of record-breaking at the Potchefstroom where the Indian openers were knocking the ball sweetly off the bat to all corners of the ground. Deepti Sharma and Poonam Raut smashed centuries to forge the highest partnership in Women’s ODI. The 320-run opening partnership took India home to a score of 358/2, which in itself is staggering. The score was 249 too much for the chasing Irish side, who never set their foot on the peddle.

Ireland Women’s team has now let two International sides in the form of India and South Africa dominate them, both notching up their highest team totals in the span of two games. The partnership between the openers was also the first time a pair had made 300-runs between them in the history of Women’s cricket.

While Deepti clobbered a record 27 boundaries during her 160 balls 188-run knock, which was also the second highest individual score only behind Australia’s Belinda Clarke’s knock of 229*.

Speaking of the records achieved by the India Women’s team, former chairperson of the BCCI Women’s selection panel Shanta Rangaswamy told ESPNcricinfo: “It’s a great achievement for Indian women’s cricket. It couldn’t have come at a better time. Deepti is young and has a fabulous temperament. Her batting stands apart from most others and I think she has the capability to become one of the best allrounders in world cricket in the years to come.”

Absence of Smriti Mandhana made way for Deepti Sharma

In the absence of the now-recalled opener Smriti Mandhana, Deepti has carried the mettle seamlessly for a top-order dependent on the captain Mithali Raj. Deepti also finished as the leading run-scorer in the recently concluded Women’s World Cup qualifiers in Sri Lanka amassing 253 runs in six innings.

Rangaswamy then went to applaud the efforts of the other opener Poonam Raut, who also made it big with the opening wicket partnership saying, “For one-day cricket and Test cricket, Poonam is a big asset to the Indian team,” she said. “I cannot forget the big centuries she and [MD] Thirushkamini got in Mysore against South Africa.

“Poonam has always been in my scheme of things. Her knock against Australia steered India to victory last year in an ODI. It was crucial in the context of the game. In England, where the ball will swing and bounce more, Poonam’s presence there will definitely benefit the team’s batting,” Rangaswamy concluded.

Indian team is currently on a 16-match unbeaten streak and has a real opportunity to go past the world record of 17-unbeaten games set by Australia. They lead the four-nation tournament with 19 points, followed by South Africa on 15.