With a 52-run win against Sri Lanka, India Women strengthened their position at the top of the points table in the ongoing ACC Women’s T20 Asia Cup. While Mithali Raj set up the game for the defending champions with a 56-ball 62, Ekta Bisht (3/8) helped defend the 121-run total and remain unbeaten in the tournament so far.
After Harmanpreet Kaur-elected to bat in India’s penultimate game of the league phase, Mithali and Smriti Mandhana got the team off to a quick start with a 462-run opening stand. The blossoming partnership was ended by Chamari Atapattu by sending back the left-handed opener for 21. Veda Krishnamurthy (21 off 27), who then joined the senior opener too made a quick contribution in the 50-run stand before being sent back by Sripali Weerakkody.
With India on 96 for two, Harmanpreet joined Mithali in an effort to set Sri Lanka a stiff target. The pair had added 25 runs off 20 deliveries for the third wicket when the opener was run out in the last over with a ball left in the innings. And off the last delivery, the skipper too was out for 10 with the team on 121 for five at the end of their quota of overs.
Defending a competitive total, the Indian spinners were once again at the forefront to dismantle the opposition. Anuja Patil accounted for Atapattu with while Jhulan Goswami claimed Hasini Perera in the next over with Sri Lanka two down for 16.
Bisht then wrecked the middle-order to leave the opposition tottering on 37 for five. Hansima Karunaratne then joined No 4 bat, Dilani Manodara in the middle in an effort to revive the innings. However, their stand was ended for 23 by Preeti Bose. The off-spinner claimed both the batters in the 17th over to leave SL on 60 for seven. In the following over, Poonam Yadav sent back Eshani Lokusuriyage for a duck and Udeshika Prabodini returned to the pavilion four runs later.
Sugandika Kumari and Inoka Ranaweera then added five runs off the remaining nine balls as India held Sri Lanka to 69 for nine to register a comprehensive win.
