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- By Gurmeet Batra
- Sun, 12 Jan 2025 07:22 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India dominated the second Women's ODI against Ireland, securing a convincing 116-run victory to take an unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.
The win was largely fueled by Jemimah Rodrigues' outstanding performance, as she scored her maiden century in 50-over cricket, propelling India to a commanding total.
Opting to bat, India amassed a mammoth 370 for 5 with skipper Smriti Mandhana (73), newcomer Pratika Rawal (67) and Harleen Deol (89) smashing half-centuries, while Jemimah cracked a 91-ball 102 against hapless Ireland bowlers.
India scored a massive 370 for five riding on three half-centuries and a ton before restricting Ireland to 254 for 7 in the stipulated 50 overs.
It was the elegant skipper Smriti Mandhana, who was first off the blocks with an attacking 73 off just 54 balls, while Rodrigues' first hundred (102 off 91 balls) ensured a smooth finish for the hosts.
Newcomer Pratika Rawal (67 off 61 balls) and seasoned Harleen Deol (89 off 84 balls) also made merry on a sub-par bowling attack.
Ireland batted steadily but never had the firepower to surpass a gigantic Indian total. Save Christina Coulter Reilly's 80, there wasn't much fight from the other batters as off-spinner Deepti Sharma emerged as the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 3 for 37. Seamer Titas Sadhu got 1 for 48 in 10 overs.
Earlier, India's total was based on two big stands -- 156 off 19 overs between Mandhana and Rawal and 183 off 28 overs between Rodrigues and Deol.
In all, Indian batters smashed an astounding 44 boundaries and three sixes in 50 overs. As far as Rodrigues was concerned, her record has been one that flattered to deceive with just six half-centuries across 40 games.
But once she got the boundary off medium pacer Arlene Kelly, the relief was palpable as she did a mock guitar-playing act with her willow.
