A collective batting performance headlined by Jemimah Rodrigues’ maiden hundred formed the cornerstone of India’s commanding 116-run win against Ireland in the second women’s ODI in Rajkot on Sunday as the hosts took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. India scored a massive 370 for five riding on three half-centuries and a ton before restricting Ireland to 254 for 7 in the stipulated 50 overs. It was the elegant skipper Smriti Mandhana, who was first off the blocks with an attacking 73 off just 54 balls, while Rodrigues’ first hundred (102 off 91 balls) ensured a smooth finish for the hosts.
Newcomer Pratika Rawal (67 off 61 balls) and seasoned Harleen Deol (89 off 84 balls) also made merry on a sub-par bowling attack.
Ireland batted steadily but never had the firepower to surpass a gigantic Indian total. Save Christina Coulter Reilly’s 80, there wasn’t much fight from the other batters as off-spinner Deepti Sharma emerged as the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 3 for 37. Seamer Titas Sadhu got 1 for 48 in 10 overs.
Earlier, India’s total was based on two big stands — 156 off 19 overs between Mandhana and Rawal and 183 off 28 overs between Rodrigues and Deol.
In all, Indian batters smashed an astounding 44 boundaries and three sixes in 50 overs.
As far as Rodrigues was concerned, her record has been one that flattered to deceive with just six half-centuries across 40 games.
But once she got the boundary off medium pacer Arlene Kelly, the relief was palpable as she did a mock guitar-playing act with her willow.
“It has been a long wait to get this hundred. Glad that the team gave me a role at No. 4 and I could deliver,” Rodrigues told broadcasters Star Sports at the innings break.
“Today, the important thing for me was to be till the 50th over. Getting runs is not a problem, I am good at that, but being till the end was important and glad I could do that.” She said during their 183-run stand, it took some time for her and Deol to assess the nature of the track.
“Having Harleen there, initially we took time to assess the conditions. I know I can accelerate but while I took time, Harleen spoke to me to keep believing.
“We can’t take any team lightly, we have followed domestic cricket here, 390 has been chased,” she said.
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