The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
The third ODI will be played at the same venue on Wednesday, January 15. Our coverage will begin at 10:00am IST. Do join us for it. For now, it is the duo of Darpan Tikiya and Sooryanarayan Sesha signing off.
India have now won four consecutive ODI series at home, which definitely bodes well in a World Cup year. Though, there is still plenty of room for improvement, especially in bowling and fielding. However, the youngsters putting their hands up and contributing to the team's cause will be the biggest positive the management will take from the last two outings. Even Ireland won't be too unhappy with their returns. While, on paper, they have been steamrolled in both the games, there are signs of improvements that point to a better future for this young side. One match still remains in the series. The hosts would look to give some more fringe players opportunities whilst also keeping an eye on a clean sweep. On the other hand, the visitors would want to continue the progression and give India a sterner fight.
Smriti Mandhana (India Captain): "Definitely, happy with the performance. We chose to bat and the girls put on a clinical. Jemimah, Pratika and Harleen all played really well to get us to that total. The bowlers bowled well too. I am happy with the efforts we put in the field. Yes there is some work to do as we dropped a few catches today as well. But the efforts have been good to see. (On her partnership with Pratika Rawal) I think it is a new partnership for both of us. She (Pratika Rawal) has a really mature head on her shoulders. I am really happy to have her on the other hand. Singles and doubles have contributed a lot and benefitted both of us. (On leading a young bowling attack) I think we all have a massive role. We know this is a World Cup year. They might be new names but they have a lot of experience of bowling in domestic cricket. It is important to give them an idea of which variation to use at what time. It is good to see them coming to international cricket with slower balls, bouncers and all those variations already there. My role is guide them when bowl what ball."
Jemimah Rodrigues is the Player of the Match: "I am relieved. Growing up in domestic I have scored hundreds and even two hundreds. It was bothering me that why I haven't been able to replicate it at the international level. Also, batting at no.5, you don't always get enough. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't. Also, I had been playing a lot of T20 off late. So, I went back to how I used to play in my U-19 days. It took me a while to adjust. I had to practice in the nets. You have to be patient in this format. Keep taking the singles, piercing gaps. Harleen and I had conversations that we have to bat together till the 40th over if not more. We have played a lot of cricket together. Maybe, we haven't batted together as much but played a lot together and that helps."
Gaby Lewis (Ireland captain): (Tough day at the office) I guess you can say that but there were still some positives to take. We got a total that was more than the last game so that's good. It just shows the future of Irish cricket. It was great to see Georgina with the ball and Christina with the bat from the sideline. Just shows what the coaching staff have done over the years with the new players and hopefully it'll stick with us for the future.
Time for the post match presentation...
Let's hear from one of India's stars today, Harleen Deol: Very happy with the knock. Could have had one more hundred but whatever God gives you, you should take it without a complaint. I was just thinking of how I could increase the team's total. I wasn't thinking of whether I was on 89 or not. I just went through with the elevated shots. When Jemi and I were playing - we both know our strengths. We could have taken our time. We knew that if we were there (until the end), the runs will definitely come. It's great fun (batting with her) but I think I am more fun for her. (What were the fun conversations like?) Hahaha! There were so many jokes, I don't know if I can share that - I have to take permission from Jemi for that.
India win by 116 runs and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series.
A memorable win for India. With this they have now strung together four consecutive series wins at home in the ODI format — augurs well especially considering the World Cup coming up later this year.
They won the toss, elected to bat first and made the most of the Rajkot wicket, well renowned for being a batter's friend. It was the opening duo that once again set the tone with their positive approach up front. Smriti Mandhana (73 off 54 balls) continued to her rich vein of form, while youngster Pratika Rawal — who notched up her third ODI fifty today — proved to be the perfect foil. The duo stitched together a stand of 156 in just 18 overs.
One big partnership was followed by the other. Harleen Deol and Jemimah Rodrigues took their time to get in and cashed upon the tiring bowlers. Rodrigues brought up her maiden hundred in the format while Harleen missed out on it by 11 runs. India ended up with their highest ever total in women's ODIs.
Having been batted out of the game already, Ireland came out with the plan of putting a better showing than the last ODI. They never seemed to be going for the target. They lost a couple of big wickets upfront, after which a couple of youngsters put their hands up. Christina Coulter Reilly, who had kept wickets for fifty over and then got hit twice in the helmet battled it out and scored a gritty 80. With cameos from Forbes, Delany, Paul and Canning, the visitors ended up emulating their highest score against India — a record they had set up in the last match itself.
50
overs
254/7score
2
4b
1
0
1
1
runs
Georgina Dempsey*
6(7)
Leah Paul
27(22)
Titas Sadhu
1/48
49.6 Titas Sadhu to Georgina Dempsey, high-ish full toss at the stumps. Dempsey steps out and somehow manages to hack it uppishly past the bowler's right for a single. And that is that - India wrap up a resounding 116-run win to take the series 2-0 with a game to spare! It's also their fourth consecutive ODI series win on home soil!