Ind-W vs SL-W | 2nd ODI | Smriti Mandhana and Shafali Verma help India take a 2-0 lead

After an impressive all-round performance by India in the first ODI, the visitors continued their form and easily won the series against Sri Lanka. 

Indian Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and decided to bowl first. India played with an unchanged squad, but Sri Lanka chose to add Vishmi Gunaratne to the team. 

Hasini Perera and Vishmi Gunaratne opened the innings but couldn’t manage to form a partnership in the first over, Perera 0[4] was bowled out by Renuka Singh.

Sri Lankan skipper Chamari Athapaththu came one down to bat. However, the hosts could not capitalize on the powerplay as they scored runs at a prolonged rate.

In the 5th over, debutant Gunaratne 3[14] was bowled by Renuka Singh, and Sri Lanka scored just 26 runs at the loss of three wickets in the powerplay.

The mounting pressure took its toll on the skipper as she batted cautiously, supported by Sanjeewani to steady the ship. The duo built a vital partnership of 31 runs from 57 balls. 

In the 16th over by Meghna Singh, the slow run rate forced Athapaththu 27[45] to play a lofted shot. However, she mistimed it and presented a catch to fine-leg, resulting in a crucial wicket for the Indians. 

Although scoring slowly, the Sri Lankan middle-order batters De Silva and Kanchana showed positive intent and built a partnership of 42 runs from 83 deliveries. 

However, Indian bowlers came gunning at the Sri Lankan batters and took wickets regularly. Finally, the last push from Kanchana 47*[83] helped Sri Lanka put up a below-par total of 173 runs at the end of 50 overs. Indian pacer Renuka Singh registered her best bowling figures – 4-28.

Indian openers have struggled to form partnerships and provide a good start in the series. However, today both the openers, Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana, came to bat with an attacking mindset.

They took time to settle themselves but gradually started dealing in boundaries. India scored 55 runs in the powerplay without losing any wickets.

Sri Lanka needed early wickets to defend the total. But, the bowlers didn’t bowl in the right areas and the fielders dropped a few catches. 

Smriti Mandhana has been struggling with her form recently but the Indian star played without pressure and displayed her natural fearless game. 

She showed her class by scoring 94 runs in 83 deliveries, including 12 boundaries. Shafali, from the other end, was equally attacking as she scored 71 runs in 71 deliveries. The duo chased down the target almost halfway through their innings. 

This was India’s highest partnership without losing a wicket against Sri Lanka. The attacking performance by the Women in Blue helped them win the series, and they will look for a whitewash now. 

Brief scores:

Sri Lanka 173 [50 overs; A Kanchana 47*, N de Silva 32; R Singh 4-28]

India 174-0 [25.4 overs; S Mandhana 94*, S Verma 71*; A Kulasuriya 0-24]