Uttarakhand's 18-year-old female cricketer, Neelam Bhardwaj, became the youngest Indian woman to score a double century in a List A match. She scored an unbeaten 202 runs off 137 balls, including 27 fours and two sixes, in the Senior Women's One Day Trophy for Uttarakhand. Her performance helped the team secure a 259-run victory over Nagaland, securing a 371/2 in 50 overs.
Neelam surpassed Shweta Sehrawat's double-century record claimed earlier this year smashing 242 for 150-ball. Her batting showcased elite timing, prowess, and acceleration, earning her a place among the greatest Indian women cricketers.
Nagaland's innings collapsed under pressure from Uttarakhand's bowlers, as veteran Indian bowler Ekta Bist led with a five-wicket haul, maintaining an economy rate of just 1.40, securing a comprehensive victory for their side.
Other Indian women, including Smriti Mandhana and Mithali Raj, have achieved double centuries in cricket, with Smriti's unbeaten 224 in 2013-14 and Mithali's historic 214 in 2002.
Neelam Bhardwaj, born in Uttarakhand in 2006, is an emerging Indian women's cricket star. At 18, she became the youngest Indian woman to score a double century in a List A match in December 2024. She is known for her poise, timing, and ability to accelerate the run rate, playing both aggressive and defensive strokes.
