Deepti Sharma ended a wait of nine years and five months for her second ODI century, smashing an unbeaten 106 against Zimbabwe in the second ODI in Vadodara on Sunday, October 25. The India all-rounder’s latest hundred came 3,450 days after her first, a remarkable 188 against Ireland in Potchefstroom, South Africa, on May 15, 2017.

The gap between Deepti’s two ODI centuries is the second-longest for any batter in the format. South Africa’s Marizanne Kapp holds the record, with 3,867 days between her first and second ODI hundreds, scored in 2013 and 2023.

India vs Zimbabwe, 2nd Women's ODI: Updates | Scorecard

Deepti’s achievement is also the second-longest gap between centuries in women’s international cricket. Molly Hide holds the record, having waited 5,117 days between her first and second Test hundreds in 1935 and 1949.

Deepti scored her maiden ODI century at just 19. Opening the innings alongside Punam Raut, she smashed 188 off 160 balls against Ireland, hitting 27 fours and two sixes. The pair shared a record 320-run opening partnership as India posted 358 and secured a 249-run victory.

DEEPTI SHINES UNDER PRESSURE

On Sunday, Deepti produced another memorable innings, this time from the lower middle order. After India lost early wickets, she helped rebuild the innings alongside Harmanpreet Kaur, who also scored a century. The pair added a crucial 153-run partnership to put India in a commanding position.

Deepti brought up her fifty off 37 balls with a sweep for four and continued to attack Zimbabwe’s bowlers, particularly with her effective sweep shots against spin. She also found boundaries through the off side and used her feet to create scoring opportunities. She reached her hundred off 83 balls in the final over, sweeping Tendai Makusha for four before raising her arms in celebration as her teammates applauded.

Deepti finished unbeaten on 106 off 86 balls, striking 15 boundaries. Her century was also historic, making her the first Indian woman to score an ODI hundred while batting at No. 6 or lower. She surpassed Richa Ghosh’s previous record of 94 for the highest individual score by an Indian woman at those positions.

Powered by Deepti’s unbeaten century and Harmanpreet’s hundred, India posted a formidable 328 for six after opting to bat first.

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