Mithali Raj’s fifty guides India to five-wicket win over Sri Lanka
The Indian women’s cricket team survived a mid-innings collapse to beat Sri Lanka by five wickets in the second Twenty20 International for an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, on Wednesday.
After restricting Sri Lanka to 107/8 in 20 overs, the Indians endured some anxious moments before coming through in 19 overs.
The decision to bat first backfired severely on the Lankans with Ekta Bisht (3/22) and Poonam Yadav (3/17) combining to rip through the visiting line-up.
Dilani Manodara’s 27 was the best that a Lankan batter could manage, followed by skipper Shashikala Siriwardene’s 26- run effort.
In reply, India’s in-form captain Mithali Raj was the star performer for the hosts, striking an unbeaten 51 which came off 52 balls and was studded with half a dozen fours.
However, she could not find a steady partner in the chase until Anuja Patil joined her at the crease. Patil’s 33-ball 34 came handy as India overhauled the target after some hiccups.
Inoka Ranaweera was the top bowler for the Lankans, grabbing three wickets for a mere 10 runs in her four overs.
Brief Scores:
Sri Lanka Women: 107/8 in 20 overs (Dilani Manodara 27, Poonam Yadav 3/17) lose to India Women: 108/5 in 19 overs (Mithali Raj 51 not out, Inoka Ranaweera 3/10) by 5 wickets.
