Mithali, Deepti help India rout England to clinch ODI series
nagpur — Skipper Mithali Raj led from the front with an unbeaten 74 as India women outclassed England by eight wickets in the third and final ODI to clinch the series 2-1.
After India spinners restricted England to 201 for 9, opener Smriti Mandhana (53 retired hurt), Mithali and Deepti Sharma (54 not out) ensured that the hosts crossed the line with 4.4 overs to spare.
India had won the first match by one wicket while England had levelled the series after they defeated the hosts by eight wickets in the second game.
For England, wicket-keeper Amy Jones (94) top scored but she failed to find partners. Indian spinners wreaked havoc, as they shared six wickets, while veteran pacer Jhulan Goswami (2-39) too chipped in.
Off-spinner Deepti (2-35), leftarm spinner Rajeshwari Gaikwad (2-32) and leg spinner Poonam Yadav (2-47) were among the wickets.
Skipper Heather Knight chipped in with 36 runs, but it was Jones, with seven fours and a six in her knock, who ensured that England went beyond the 200-run mark.
While chasing, Mandhana gave a brisk start and complemented Mithali. After the left-handed Mandhana retired hurt, Deepti joined the captain and the two took India home.
But Mithali was the cynosure of all eyes at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium here as she punished English bowlers, hitting nine boundaries.