Indian women seal series with crushing 7-wicket win in 2nd ODI against England
It was a dominant performance by the Indian women’s team as they sealed the series against England by winning the 2nd One day International of the ICC World Championship played at Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai on Monday. A great display by the Indian bowlers helped them bowl out the visitors for a modest total and then chase down the target with ease.
England captain Heather Knight won the toss and decided to bat first. The Indian new ball bowlers Shikha Pandey and Jhulan Goswami got off to a great start, reducing the visitors to 14 for 3.
Beaumont and Nat Sciver added 30 runs for the 4th wicket but Shikha Pandey struck again, dismissing Beaumont for 20 runs. Sciver and Winfield then steadied the England innings with 49 runs for the 5th wicket. However, a collapse then ensued as India reduced England to 108 for 8 in no time.
Sciver was the lone batter for England who provided any resistance, reaching her fifty off 78 balls. She continued to play with aggressive intent along with Hartley. However, Goswami soon ended the innings by dismissing Sciver for a brilliant 85.
The Indian women bowled out England for a total of 161 in 43.3 overs, with Jhulan Goswami and Shikha Pandey picking 4 wickets each.
Chasing the modest total of 162, the Indians got off to a poor start as they lost the early wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues. Smriti Mandhana looked in aggressive touch and made batting look easy.
Punam Raut and Mandhana added 73 runs for the 2nd wicket before the former was dismissed for a well made 32. Mandhana then reached her 15th ODI fifty, off 59 balls, and with captain Mithali Raj added 74 runs for the 3rd wicket.
The stylish left-handed batter was eventually dismissed for a brilliant 63. The Indian captain Mithali Raj remained not out on 47 to take her side home as India sealed the series with a 7 wicket win and 53 balls to spare.
The third and final ODI of the series will be played on 28th February.