Smriti Mandhana’s brilliant century powers India to 102-run win over Australia in 2nd Women ODI

Mullanpur: Opener Smriti Mandhana slammed a fine century as India handed Australia a massive 102-run defeat in the second women’s ODI to level the three-match series 1-1 here on Wednesday.

Sent in to bat, left-handed batter Mandhana cracked a 91-ball 117 at the top. Deepti Sharma (40), Richa Ghosh (29), Pratika Rawal (25) and Sneh Rana (24) – all chipped in with useful contributions as India posted 292 allout.

In reply, Australia folded for 190 in 40.5 Overs.

Ellyse Perry (44) and Annabel Sutherland (45) got starts but couldn’t capitalise.

Kranti Goud (3/28) and Deepti Sharma (2/24) shared five wickets.

For Australia, Darcie Brown (3/42), Ashleigh Gardner (2/39), Megan Schutt (1/46), Annabel Sutherland (1/58) and Tahlia McGrath (1/20) were among wickets.

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After dropping four catches in the series opener which they lost by eight wickets, India spilled a total of six catches in the second ODI yet managed to record a huge win.

“Today also we missed a few chances, but our bowlers kept giving us chances so that we could capitalise and keep the result in our favour,” Harmanpreet told the broadcaster after the match.

“This series is where we want to give chance to each and everyone. That is something we kept in our mind — to try a few combinations, and happy with today’s combination. Happy (that) everyone took responsibility and contributed,” she said.

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Overall, Harmanpreet said she was pleased with the team’s effort.

“We are happy that we played good cricket today,” she said.

“Happy that we got the result in our favour. We talk about keeping things simple and clear, that’s giving us breakthrough, we want to keep doing that again and again. We got the runs from Smriti, others didn’t score runs but we were able to get close to 300,” she said.

Mandhana, who shaped the win with a brilliant 91-ball 117 with 14 fours and four sixes, said she was happy to have finally hit a ton against Australia in a winning cause.

“The last two hundreds that I got against Australia were in losing cause, happy that we won the match today. The game-plan was simple. In the powerplay, with two fielders out, try and play the shots and the build the innings,” she said.

“It all depends on the conditions and who we play. You need to get 280-290 against Australia. The wicket was flat and i had to be aggressive,” Mandhana added.

Australia captain Alyssa Healy admitted her side was outplayed in the second ODI and said the game would serve “great learnings” for her side.

“It’s good preparation for the World Cup. India were pretty good today in all facets of the game. We got outplayed a little bit,” she said.

“Great learnings for us heading forward. We did pretty well to hold them back (as) they were well on par for well over 300. The bowlers dug in really well to keep them to that score.

“They (India) bowled really well with the new ball and we didn’t quite get off to the start we wanted to. They bowled straight with straight fields, they changed their pace nicely as well. It’s good to have these opportunities heading into do-or-die World Cups,” Healy added.

Brief Score:

India Women: 292 all out in 49.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 117; Darcie Brown (3/42).

Australia women: 190 all out in 40.5 overs (Ellyse Perry 44, Annabel Sutherland 45; Kranto Goud 3/28 ).