Mandhana give India easy win in first ODI
Smriti Mandhana cracked an unbeaten 73 in 76 balls that included 11 boundaries and two sixes to guide India Women to a convincing nine-wicket win over Sri Lanka Women in the first ODI played at the Galle Stadium yesterday.
The left-hander was in top form as she reached her 12th ODI half century in style with a six off Sripali Weerakkody as India took 1-0 lead in the three-match ODI series.
Mandhana along with her opening partner Punat Raut (24) put on an opening stand of 96 runs which helped India Women reach their target of 99 runs in the 20th over.
Earlier, Sri Lanka collapsed to 49 for six in the 20th over after Skipper Chamari Atapattu had won the toss and elected to take first lease of the wicket.
In fact, Atapattu who made a top score of 33 saved the side from embarrassment as she added 29 runs for the seventh wicket along with Sripali Weerakkody.
Right-arm pacies Mansi Joshi and Jhulam Goswami along with spinner Poonam Yadav shared eight wickets between them.
The second match of the series will be played on Thursday (13) at the same venue.
Sri Lanka Women: 98 in 35.1 overs (Chamari Atapattu 33, Sripali Weerakkody 26, Mansi Joshi 3/16, Jhulan Goswai 2/13, Poonam Yadav 2/13)
India Women: 100/1 in 19.5 overs (Punam Raut 24, Smriti Mandhana 73 n.o.)