Representational.
Kandy (Sri Lanka): Indian women won the second One Day International (ODI) in the three-match cricket series against Sri Lanka, sweeping the series 2-0 at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium here on Monday. The Indian squad dominated in both batting and bowling to slam Lanka, PTI reported.
The Indian victory, without any fall of a wicket during the chase, was driven by the opening batters Smriti Mandhana's stroke-filled 94 off 83 balls and Shefali Verma's run-a-ball 7. Sri Lanka was all out at 173 under the Indian bowling attack, and India reached the target in 25.4 overs with ten wickets in hand. The partnership of 174 is India's best for all wickets against Sri Lanka.
Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur won the toss and sent Sri Lanka to bat first as the pitch was favourable to bowling. Twenty-six-year-old Indian pacer Renuka Singh exhibited severe challenges to the Lankan batters. She took three quick wickets of Lanka even from the start.
Though Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals, the batter at lower order, Ama Kanchana, stood bold before wickets and hit 47 off 83 balls. Meanwhile, spinner Deepti Sharma took the last two Lankan wickets ending the first innings.
After the match, Harmanpreet said, "We have been talking about long partnerships. We discussed that we need to give 100 per cent. The partnership was outstanding. It is important to have bowling options."
India will take Lanka on Thursday in the last ODI match, aiming for a 3-0 series win.