With a 16-run win against Sri Lanka Women, India Women continued their unbeaten streak in the ICC Women’s World Cup, 2017. After the early loss of the in-form openers, Deepti Sharma (78 off 110) and Mithali Raj (53 off 78) ensured India a respectable 232-run total with diligently compiled knocks. The Indian bowlers restricted Sri Lanka to 216 for seven to clinch victory.
After India elected to bat, Chandima Gunaratne and Sripali Weerakkody sent back Smriti Mandhana and Punam Raut respectively to leave the team on 38 for two. While the left-handed batter departed handing a catch to short mid-wicket, her partner was caught at short-cover five overs later.
Mithali then joined forces with Deepti to resurrect the Indian innings. The experienced campaigner bided her time at the crease as she guided and shaped the innings. They kept the scoreboard ticking and watchfully maintained a steady pace to build a platform. In spite of a sedate start to the partnership they had added 118 runs at over four runs an over until Ama Kanchana struck. Both batters had completed their half-centuries and looked to accelerate in the powerplay. Deepti, who was dropped by the bowler herself earlier in the over, was caught at mid-off as she looked to go over the top. With just over 13 overs left, Jhulan Goswami was promoted up the order with the side on 156 for three. However, couple of overs later India suffered a double blow. After adding nine runs Goswami departed taking the aerial route of Inoka Ranaweera while the captain was trapped lbw by the bowler off the next ball.
Veda Krishnamurthy and Harmanpreet Kaur then worked to up the ante. The pair received lives as they took their chances in an effort to add runs at a brisk pace. They picked the boundaries and ran hard between the wickets and stitched a 50-run partnership until both perished off back-to-back deliveries to Weerakkody in the penultimate over. While Harmanpreet departed hitting the pacer to long-off, Krishnamurthy was caught behind point leaving India on 219 for seven. Their stand helped add useful runs that made a difference towards setting the opposition a stiff target.
Defending a modest total, Goswami accounted for Hasini Perera in the fifth over to provide India with an early breakthrough. However, Athapaththu joined Nipuni Hansika in the middle and the pair batted at an unhurried pace to build a stand. They trudged on to add 40 runs until Poonam Yadav struck. The leg-spinner knocked back Athapaththu’s stump with a googly and 13 runs later had Nipuni Hansika stumped and left SL on 70 for three.
The Indian spinners maintained a tight line and curbed the flow of runs to build the pressure. S Siriwardena and Dilani Manodara however, continued to plod on. But, with the batters unable to break the shackles, the run rate continued to climb steadily. Although they had seven wickets in hand, the Sri Lankans needed to score at over nine runs an over in the last 15 overs. Battling an uphill task, the batters had to take the risks in an effort to increase the run rate. The duo looked to attack in the powerplay, however, Krishnamurthy’s superb catch running in from long-on after Sririwardena had taken the aerial route off Goswami helped India break the fourth wicket partnership for 60 runs.
SL’s woes continued as Kanchana was run out an over later leaving the team tottering at 143 for five. After 28 runs, Bisht gave India their sixth wicket by claiming Weerakkody. Manodara, who had steadfastly held up one end was stumped for 61 off Deepti in the 48th over. With P Weerakkodi and O Ranasinghe remained unbeaten, India cantered to a comprehensive win.
Player of the Match: Deepti Sharma for her all-round performance (78 runs and 1 wicket)
