In the world of cricket, the excitement of the game often comes hand in hand with moments of utter disbelief. One such incident occurred during the second ODI between… India and West Indies At the Reliance Stadium in Vadodara on December 24, 2024. Smriti Mandhanaa player celebrated for her remarkable batting prowess, found herself in the middle of a comical but unfortunate drama that left fans and commentators alike shaking their heads.
Smriti Mandhana's steady start ends with a comedy of errors
Mandhana opened the innings alongside Pratika RawalTogether, they laid a solid foundation for India, coming up with a commendable partnership of 110 runs. The Indian batting unit was off to a good start, with Mandhana looking particularly dangerous as she raced to 53 runs off just 47 balls. However, the momentum took a sharp turn on the 17th Karishma Ramharak.
When Rawal played a shot towards square leg, she immediately called for two runs. Mandana responded but soon fell into confusion when Rawal reconsidered her call and tried to return her partner. The result was disastrous. Mandana, who was committed to escaping, found herself trapped due to Rawal's hesitation. With Ramharak quickly recovering the ball and bowling it to the wicket-keeper Shemaine CampbellMandana's fate was sealed when the bails were removed, leaving her no choice but to return to the pavilion.
Read also: Renuka Singh Thakur and 91 Smriti Mandhana take India home in the ODI series opener against West Indies
Here is the video:
—Sunil Gavaskar (@gavaskar_theman) December 24, 2024
The reason for the clash between Pratika Rawal and Mandanna
What made this run-out particularly entertaining was the absolute misunderstanding between Mandanna and Rawal. In cricketing terminology, this is often referred to as the 'comedy of errors'. Both players seem to be on different wavelengths. While Rawal was focused on her career, Mandanna was oblivious to the change in plans until it was too late. The sight of Mandhana returning at mid-on only added to the comic relief, as she could do nothing but watch helplessly as her wicket fell.
A setback in an otherwise bright season
Despite this unfortunate sending off, Mandana's form prior to this match was nothing short of excellent. She recently reclaimed her record for the most international runs in a calendar year and has just come off a brilliant knock of 91 in her first international match against the same opponents. Her ability to score quickly and effectively has made her one of India's key players in women's cricket.
However, this run highlights that even top athletes are not immune to mistakes. It serves as a learning opportunity for both Mandhana and Rawal as they look forward to future matches. The Indian team will undoubtedly be looking for better communication on the field as they aim to build on their strong performance.
Read also: Richa Ghosh sets a record 50-over match against West Indies in the third WT20I
This article was first published in WomenCricket.comA Cricket times a company.
