IANS
RANCHI, FEBRUARY 17
India women’s cricket team took an unassailable 2-0 lead after their comprehensive 6 wickets win over Sri Lanka Women in the second One-Day International (ODI) at the JSCA International Stadium Complex here on Wednesday.
India won the first ODI by 89 runs, and like in the first game, they dominated in all departments of the game on Wednesday. The third and final ODI will be played on Friday.
Needing a moderate 189 runs to win, the home team got to the mark with 42 balls to spare, losing just four wickets. Opener Smriti Mandhana scored 46, hitting four boundaries and one six. Captain Mithali Raj remained unbeaten on 53 and stitched a 64-run stand for the third wicket with Harmanpreet Kaur (41).
All the four Indian wickets were taken by left-arm spinner Sugandika Kumari (4/39).
Earlier, a disciplined bowling effort saw the home team restrict Sri Lanka to just 188/9. Deepti Sharma registered her career best figures (4/29) as Sri Lanka once again struggled to score freely.
India got their first wicket in the sixth over through Deepti. Sri lanka struggled to score and reached their 50-run mark only in the 20th over.
India were able to break partnerships at regular intervals as the visitors lost the plot.
In danger to be bowled out well inside the 50 overs like in the previous game, senior player Dilani Manodara brought her experience to the fore and remained unbeaten on 43 to help Sri Lanka reach 178/9 in 50 overs.
Brief scores: India Women 179/4 in 43. 1 overs (Mithali Raj 53 not out, Harmanpreet Kaur 41); Sr Lanka Women 178/9 in 50 overs (Dilani Manodara 43 not out, Deepti Sharma 4/23
