Sri Lankan women registered a three-wicket win over the Indian eves in the third ODI played at Katunayake on Sunday. On the back of hundred by captain Mithali Raj and useful contributions from Smriti Mandhana and Deepti Sharma, Indian eves posted 253 for 5. Sri Lankan captain Atapattu played an important knock helping Sri Lanka to chase down the target despite losing wickets.
Sri Lankan captain Chamari Atapattu won the toss and decided to field first. India got off to a worse start losing the wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues on the second ball. Smriti Mandhana and Captain Mithali Raj showed positive intent scoring 45 runs in first 10 overs. Both of them continued to pile pressure on Sri Lankan bowlers with attacking stroke-play.
Smriti Mandhana reached her half-century off 58 balls. Soon after completing her 50, Mandhana was dismissed by Sri Lankan captain Atapattu for 51. Mandhana and Mithali added 102 runs for the second wicket. Captain Mithali reached her half-century off 76 balls. Harmanpreet Kaur and Mithali added 45 runs for third wicket. Harmanpreet Kaur scored 17 while Hemalatha made 6. Mithali continued to play well and reached his century off 126 balls while Deepti Sharma played a cameo knock scoring 38 off 44 balls. Deepti Sharma was dismissed in the last over. Jhulan Goswami came to the crease and smashed a six.
Chasing a target of 254 runs to win, the Sri Lankan openers Chamari Atapattu and Hasini Perera started steadily with 31 runs in first 10 overs. Both of them continued to put pressure on Indian bowlers with their stroke play. Sri Lankan captain Atapattu reached her half-century off 61 balls. Poonam Yadav got the breakthrough dismissing Perera for 45 runs. Both the openers added 101 runs in 23.1 overs.
Chamari Atapattu continued to play with positive intent reaching her century off 117 balls. Sanjeewani also played well by scoring 22 and added 55 runs for the second wicket. Jhulan Goswami picked the important of Sanjeewani. Captain Atapattu was dismissed scoring 115 off 133 balls. De Silva made a quick fire 15 off 9 balls. Indian eves could not earn any points from the match but they won the series 2-1.
Indian women take unbeatable 2-0 lead
Taniya Bhatia and Mansi Joshi starred as India clinched a 7-run win to capture the one day international series against Sri Lanka in Galle. India defended 219 in the second match to take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match ODI series. India also earned two additional points as the match is a part of the ICC Women's Championship. Batting first, India were all out for 219 in 50 overs on a slow track where young wicketkeeper Taniya Bhatia's 68 off 66 balls turned out to be a match-winning knock.
In reply, the visitors bowled out the hosts for 212 in 48.1 overs with seamer Mansi Joshi taking 3/51 and left-arm spinner Rajeshwari Gayakwad chipping in with 2/37.
