Indian Women seal the series in a nail-biting encounter

The second ODI between Sri Lanka Women and the Indian Women’s team was worked off at the Galle International stadium this morning (13th September), with the Indian Women’s team currently leading the three match series 1-0.

Indian Skipper Mithali Raj opted to bat first after winning the toss. In form batsmen Smriti Mandhana carried her excellent form from the previous match scoring 13 runs including 3 fours before Udeshika Prabodhani picked up the crucial wicket of Mandhana in the first ball of the fourth over. Sripali Weerakkody joined the party as she dismissed opening batsmen Punam Raut to leave India in a troublesome situation with Captain Mithali Raj and Harmanpreet Kaur on the crease at 18 for the loss of 2 by the 6th over.

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At the end of the first power play India was at 30 for the loss of 2 wickets going steadily at 3 runs per over. Weerakkody was stupendous with her line and length, enough to frustrate Kaur to push one back into her hands as the Indian innings took another twist at 36 for the loss of 3 by the 12th over.

Deepti Sharma walked in when India were in a desperate need of a partnership. Captain Raj and Sharma looked to rebuild the Indian innings. Captain Raj and Sharma looked to rebuild the Indian innings posting a 30 run partnership before Sharma chipped one back into the hands of Inoka Ranaweera. Mithali Raj once again was stranded in need of a dependable partner to take India to a competitive score.

Playing just her second Women’s One Day International, wicketkeeper batsman Taniya Bhatia together with the help of skipper Raj took India past the 100 run mark in the 32nd over. Bhatiya and Raj put on a much needed 76 run partnership as Mithali bought up her 51st ODI half century. India was back in the game with an improved run rate. Veteran spinner Shashikala Siriwardene showcased her experience by picking up Mithali Raj shortly after for 51. With half the side back in the pavilion Sri Lanka looked to restrict India to a minimal score.

Photos: Sri Lanka – India Women’s Cricket Series 2018 | Media Briefing

ThePapare.com | Hiran Weerakkody | 08/09/2018 Editing and re-using images without permission

Taniya Bhatiya took over the reins from Raj scoring her maiden ODI fifty off 52 balls. Bhatiya was joined by Dayalan Hemalatha another Indian player who was playing just her second ODI. Bhatiya was in some impeccable form before she was dismissed for a valiant 68. A quick fire 35 by Hemalatha helped India reached 219 for the loss of 9 wickets.

Chasing a score of 220 Sri Lanka lost Prasadani Weerakkody early in the 4th over of the innings. Nipuni Hansika was involved in an unwanted run out the very same over as the Lankans were in a spot of bother at 21 for the loss of 2. Skipper Attapattu was Sri Lanka’s anchor as the rest of the Lankan top 3 failed to impress with the bat once again.

All-rounder Shashikala Siriwardene and Attapattu kept the scoreboard ticking with the occasional boundary taking Sri Lanka to 76 for the loss of 3 by the halfway mark, with the Lankans still requiring another 144 runs in 24 overs to level the series. With the asking rate increasing Attapattu switched gears to she bought up her 13th ODI half century. Siriwardene was exceptional with the bat playing crucial supporting role.

A mix between Attapattu and Siriwardene broke an important 89 run partnership as India had another sniff in the game. Siriwardene fell a run short of what would have been her 4th ODI fifty. Soon after the nerves got the better of Attapattu as Sri Lanka stumbled to 135 for 5 with 85 more runs need in 12 overs. Sripali Weerakkody’s power hitting came in handy but she was the third victim in Sri Lanka’s running woes.

The game took another twist in the 44th over as Nilakshi Silva smashed two massive sixes off Poonam Yadav’s bowling, as Sri Lanka were right back in the game. With so many twists and turn in the match this was Sri Lanka’s final chance to victory.

The Sri Lankan tail was exposed to some brilliant bowling by Mansi Jonsi as Sri Lanka fell 7 runs short of the total.

Sri Lanka women will play the Indian women in the final ODI on the 16th of September in Katunayake.