Women's ODI Trophy: West Bengal scripts world record List A chase to enter semis

West Bengal chased down a world record total against Haryana to storm into the Women's One-Day Trophy semi-finals in Rajkot on Monday.

Asked to chase down a daunting total of 390 in 50 overs, Bengal cruised to victory with five balls to spare thanks to a stunning 83-ball-113 from Tanushree Sarkar.

Sarkar's match-winning knock was laced with 20 boundaries. She found an able ally in wicket-keeper Priyanka Bala, who remained unbeaten on 88 off 81 deliveries with eight boundaries and a solitary six.

West Bengal started in a fiery fashion in the chase with openers Dhara Gujjar and Sasti Mondal, bringing up a 100-run partnership off just nine overs.

Mondal was the aggressor-in-chief, before falling for a 29-ball 52. Gujjar (69) was then joined at the crease by Sarkar, who stunned the Haryana bowlers with her imperious stroke play.

The previous record for the highest chase in women's List A cricket was 309 by Northern Districts against Canterbury in New Zealand's domestic competition. Northern Districts had then reached 312/7 in just 44 overs after Canterbury piled on 308/7 in their quota of 50 overs.

Earlier in the day, it was Shafali Verma's exploits at the top of the order that powered Haryana to 389/5 in their 50 overs. The India international went berserk opening the batting, scoring 197 off just 115 deliveries before being prized out by Mita Paul.

Verma's innings saw 22 boundaries and 11 sixes as she once again reminded the Board of Control for Cricket in India's selectors of her ability after being dropped from the Indian team.

Sonia Mendhiya also scored a quick-fire 61 off 41 as Haryana registered the highest domestic one-day total in India. The previous record held by Railways stood at 356/4 and was recorded against Chandigarh in 2021.

Sarkar was the only solace with the ball for West Bengal in the first innings, finishing with figures of 3-56 in her ten overs.