Bowlers run riot as India women thrash Sri Lanka in opening ODI
Riding on a splendid show from bowlers and Smriti Mandhana’s half-century, India women routed Sri Lanka women by nine wickets in the first of three ODIs against the island nation at Galle on Tuesday.
Opting to bat, the hosts lost wickets regularly and were bundled out for 98 in just 35.1 overs. Pacer Mansi Joshi took three wickets while Poonam Yadav and Jhulan Goswami took two apiece.
For Sri Lanka, the only notable scores came from skipper Chamari Atapattu, who hit 33 and No. 8 Sripali Weerakkody, who made 26. Except Dilani Manodara (12), no other batsman could cross double figures.
In reply, India openers Mandhana and Punam Raut almost finished the formalities before the latter fell on 24 in her 96-run partnership with Mandhana, who remained unbeaten on 73 off 76 balls, studded with 11 boundaries and two sixes. She finished the game with a boundary off offspinner Shashikala Siriwardene to hand her side a 1-0 lead.
Mithali Raj faced only two balls and didn’t score off them, but this was still a landmark game for the 35-year-old. She surpassed England’s Charlo Edwards (117) as the capped captain in wom ODIs with her 118th app ance. The second ODI be played at the s venue on Thursday.
Brief scores: In women 100/1 (M dhana 73*) beat Lanka women 98 ( pattu 33; Joshi 3-16 nine wickets.