WhatsApp told duo about record
Poonam Raut and Deepti Sharma, who smashed centuries against Ireland and combined in a stand of 320 runs to record the highest partnership in a women’s one-day international in Potchefstroom (South Africa) on Monday, had ‘no idea’ that they had created a world record.
Poonam Raut and Deepti Sharma learnt of their feat through a WhatsApp group of which they are members.
The partnership also marked the first 300-run stand in women’s cricket, eclipsing the 268-run partnership between England openers Caroline Atkins and Sarah Taylor against South Africa in 2008.
“To be honest, I had no idea about the record in women’s ODIs and not even the one by the Sri Lankans,” Raut told ESPNcricinfo. However, because I’ve always looked up to Sachin ever since my initiation into the game, I was aware of the 250-something opening partnership between him and Sourav (Ganguly) as being the highest by India.
“But even when we were closing in on the 300-run mark, little did we know we had already broken England women’s record (268 by SarahTaylorand Caroline
Atkins). “It was only after our post-match recovery session in the pool that we go to know about the records from messages we received on our team’s WhatsApp group.” The 19-yearold Deepti Sharma hammered 24 boundaries and two sixes in her 160ball innings to score 188, the second-highest individual score behind Australian Belinda Clark’s unbeaten 229 against Denmark 10 years ago. Poonam Raut, 27, scored 109 before retiring hurt shortly after Deepti’s dismissal.
“When we walked out to bat, our intent was clear: maximise our returns in the Powerplay and neither be overly cautious nor take unnecessary risks,” Deepti said.
“Around 15 overs or so into the partnership, Poonam (di) and I kept reminding each other it’s important we punished the loose balls, and make sure the run rate didn’t drop.”
India went on to score 358 for two before skittling Ireland for 109 to record a 249-run victory in a quadrangular series that also features hosts South Africa and Zimbabwe. “After I got to my century, I decided to shift gears and challenged myself to score boundaries even off deliveries that would have otherwise fetched me ones or twos,” Deepti said.