Posted On Friday, February 01, 2013 at 08:25:49 AM
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| Raju Shinde |
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Thirushkamini celebrates her ton against the West Indies. The visitors were struggling at 155-7 in pursuit of a 285-run target
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Mumbai - Thirushkamini must have felt absolute joy last night after she hit her first career ODI hundred, which coincidentally was also the first by an Indian in the Women’s World Cup.
That probably explained why the Chennaiborn opener began every reply during abetween-innings interview with ‘absolutely’. And she will be forgiven for what was an absolutely funny fauxpas on her behalf at the end when her host left her with good wishes and she very politely commenced her exit line with – you guessed it right ‘absolutely’.
The gaffe took nothing away from what was an absolutely stunning achievement. After all, history is neither created nor rewritten on a day-today basis. Her 100 in 146 deliveries (with 11 fours and 1 six), helped India close at a formidable 284 for 6, which also eclipsed the nation’s previous best World Cup score of 275, set against The Netherlands in the 2000 competition.
 An ecstatic Thirushkamini said in reply to the presenter’s query about her performance: “Absolutely! Getting runs for India, nothing can be better than this. The conditions were good and the outfield was quick enough for getting runs on board.
The batters have got a good total on board, which we must defend.” Openers Thirushkamini (100) and Punam Raut (72) piled on the misery of West Indies after a relatively slow start, which saw India, put into bat, canter at four per over to 80 off 20.
There was little threat to the openers and apart from Thirushkamini thwarting a potential run-out exit, courtesy of some inaccurate throwing from the Windies; the Indian pair was allowed to breathe easy.
And how they would thrive! India got to 100 in 24.5 overs. The batswomen reached their half-centuries almost simultaneously. Raut cut a single through covers for her fifty, while Thirushkamini played a lovely flick off her waist to the boundary to get there.
More runs followed as Thirushkamini hit two fours off Shemaine Campbell in the 28th over, one to the long on fence, the other a succulent full-toss that was sent to deep backward square leg. Thirushkamini was quickly ahead of Raut on the scoreboard, but the shot of the day, however, belonged to the latter, her scoop to the fine leg fence earning her aboundary and the honours.
Thirushkamini made the most of the hosts’ decision to call in the batting powerplay in the 36th by smashing a six and four off Shanel Daley. However, Raut attempting the same, fell leg-before to Daley. Jhulan Goswami did not exude the finesse of the woman she replaced, but was effective straightaway and finished with a quickfire 36 off 21 balls.
Thirushkamini’s nerves showed at 99, as she anxiously went about chasing singles that weren’t there before Goswami walked half-way down the pitch to talk her into taking her time.
The exchange helped and Thirushkamini celebrated after a single off a sweep by leaping in the air and brandishing her bat like a Maratha warrior would. She exited the very next delivery she faced, though, as Dottin ran her out with a direct hit off her own bowling.
Goswami departed in quick succession, holing out to Shakera Selman at mid-wicket off Dottin, while Harmanpreet Kaur fell for 36 off 22 balls. Kaur hammered two sixes and four boundaries, which carried India past their previous best score in the competition.
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03:37:55 PM