ENG W vs IND W: Harmanpreet Kaur equals Mithali Raj by scoring 102 runs in the third ODI

Harmanpreet Kaur, the captain of the Indian women’s cricket team, etched her name deeper into the history books with a sensational century in the third and final ODI against England at Chester-le-Street. Her outstanding knock of 102 runs off just 84 balls not only played a pivotal role in helping India post a formidable total of 318 for 5 but also brought her level with the legendary Mithali Raj for the second-most centuries scored by an Indian woman in ODIs. With this ton, Harmanpreet now shares the second spot with Mithali Raj on the all-time list, both having scored seven centuries each. Smriti Mandhana, another modern-day Indian batting great, currently leads the tally with 11 centuries to her name.

Harmanpreet’s innings was a masterclass in controlled aggression and smart shot selection. Starting her knock with caution, she soon found her rhythm and punished every loose delivery that came her way. Her strike rate of 121.42 is a testament to the intent and fluency with which she batted, hitting 14 crisp boundaries all around the park. Her presence at the crease was crucial in propelling India to a match-winning score in the all-important series decider.

The innings was not just about helping India win; it was also a personal milestone for Kaur. She crossed the 4,000-run mark in Women’s One Day Internationals (WODIs), becoming only the third Indian batter to do so after Mithali Raj and Smriti Mandhana. This achievement places her in an elite club and showcases her consistency and contribution to Indian women’s cricket over the years. With a total of 4,069 runs in WODIs, Harmanpreet now ranks third in India and seventeenth globally among all-time WODI run-scorers.

Here's how the Indian women's ODI century-makers stand currently:

S.No. | Player Name | Centuries

1. Smriti Mandhana – 11

2. Harmanpreet Kaur – 7

3. Mithali Raj – 7

4. Poonam Raut – 3

5. Thirush Kamini – 2

In addition to these milestones, Harmanpreet has also become the sixth player in WODI history to score over 1,000 runs in a single country while playing away from home. She now joins an illustrious list that includes greats like Belinda Clark, Karen Rolton, Mithali Raj, Debbie Hockley, and Charlotte Edwards. This feat underscores Harman’s ability to perform consistently in foreign conditions—something that separates good players from great ones.

Specifically, Kaur's performances in England have been remarkable. She is now the second Indian player, after Mithali Raj, to score more than 1,000 WODI runs in England. Among all overseas batters, only Mithali and Harman have crossed the 1,000-run mark in ODIs in England, highlighting her dominance in English conditions. Australian star Ellyse Perry follows with 962 runs in England, placing third on this elite list.

Harmanpreet’s century also played a key role in India clinching the series 2-1. Coming into the final ODI with the series tied at 1-1, her knock proved decisive as India put up a big total and then successfully defended it. The commanding performance from both bat and captaincy made her the standout player of the match and underlined her importance to the Indian side.

With her name now cemented among the greats of the game, Harmanpreet Kaur continues to inspire the next generation of women cricketers in India and around the world. Her blend of power, poise, and leadership reflects the growth and strength of Indian women's cricket on the global stage.