Mandhana ton helps India wins series
Smriti Mandhana slammed a career-best 135 off 129 balls to help the Indian women’s cricket team register a 178-run win over South Africa in the second ODI on Wednesday. India have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, whichispartoftheICCWomen’s Championship.
Mandhana, who had made a 98-ball 84 in India’s 88-run win overSouthAfricainthefirstODI, hit14foursandasixasIndiapiled up 302 for three in 50 overs, their second-highest one-day score. In reply, South Africa were 124 all out in 30.5 overs.
Besides Mandhana, Harmanpreet Kaur and V Krishnamurthyhithalf-centuries.India’sprevious highest ODI score was 358 for two against Ireland last year in Potchefstroom in the build up to the World Cup in England.
India were off to a solid start withMandhana,whoseprevious best ODI score was an unbeaten 106 against the West Indies in Taunton last year, stitching together a 56-run opening stand with PunamRaut(20 off37balls).
Skipper Mithali Raj too got a start but could not capitalise on it and was dismissed for 20 off 34 balls. But then with Harmanpreet Kaur, Mandhana put up a 134-runstandforthethirdwicket which set India up for a big total.
When Mandhana got out caught behind scoring her third ODIton,Indiawerelookinggood on241forthreeinthe44thover.V Krishnamurthy then played a cameo, a 33-ball 51 with six fours and a six, to take India past the 300-run mark. Harmanpreet played anchor with a 69-ball 55 with two fours and a six.
Leg-spinner Poonam Yadav excelledwiththeballwithfigures of four for 24.