"Onslaught Was Planned": Smriti Mandhana Reveals Mindset Behind Record-Breaking 435 Total

Charismatic India cricketer Smriti Mandhana said on Wednesday her record-breaking onslaught on the Irish bowlers was planned but despite her team's clean sweep, there is still lot of scope for improvement in both fielding and running between wickets. The India skipper was at the forefront of several records being smashed as the hosts won by a massive 304 runs to claim their biggest-ever ODI win and complete a 3-0 clean sweep in the series. Mandhana, herself scored the fastest WODI hundred by an Indian woman, off just 70 balls.

The result of the match was a mere formality once India set Ireland a mammoth target of 436, and Ireland could only garner 131 before getting bundled out in 31.4 overs.

Mandhana cracked 135 off just 80 balls and her opening partner Pratika Rawal scored 154 as India achieved the highest total ever by an Indian team -- men's or women's -- in ODIs.

"It (onslaught) was planned. I was just thinking not many matches you can go out and attack. So, I thought of trying a few shots. Sometimes it comes off, sometimes it doesn't. Today it did," said Mandhana after the match.

"I am really pleased that all the girls got game time. The 100s and the 50s from the batters have been great. Really happy for Jemi (Rodrigues), Harleen (Deol), Pratika (Rawal), Richa (Ghosh)." She added that a lot more needs to be done in order to be ready for the ODI World Cup at home in August-September.

"There are so many things. As much as we want to enjoy this victory, we want to sit down and be in the loop for the World Cup. We need to work on our fielding and running between the wickets.

"In 50 over cricket, 300 balls, these two things will be critical. If we are good in these two departments, we can do something special," added