Mandhana’s century goes in vain as India eves lose the ODI series to Australia

Making her way into the ODI side, south paw Smriti Mandhana made the most of the opportunity provided to her. She scored a scintillating century and helped India post a formidable total of 252-8 in 50 overs at Bludstone Oval, when India faced Australia in the second ODI on 5^th Feb. Skipper Mithali Raj also contributed with a patient knock of 58. Mandhana and Raj were a treat to watch. India would have loved to score close to 300 runs, however there were no big contributions from the middle order, apart from Shikha Pandey’s (33 runs off 30 balls) cameo at the end. Ellyse Perry’s purple patch continued as she picked up 3-55 in 10 overs and received good support from Megam Schutt (2-34 in 10 overs) at the other end.

Having scored 276 in their first ODI, chasing 254 odd runs was going to be easy for the hosts. It was a smooth run chase as the opening pair Nicole Bolton (77) and Meg Lanning (61) put together a solid partnership of 137 runs in 22.3 overs. The Indian bowlers looked listless after being at the receiving end of the Aussie blitzkrieg. Shikha Pandey and Rajeshwari Gayakwad were the only bowlers who could pick up couple of wickets apiece. Australia eves comfortably chased down the target in 46.5 overs keeping six wickets in hand. Smriti Mandhana was awarded with the Man of the Match for her brilliant century.

Australia takes on India at Bludstone Arena, Tasmania, on 7^th Feb in the third and last game of the tour, which will be just a match of academic importance as the hosts have achieved an unassailable lead of 2-0 in the three match ODI series.

Brief Scores: India Women 253-8 in 50 overs (S Mandhana 102, M Raj 58; E Perry 3-55, M Schutt 2-34) lost to Australia Women 253-4 in 46.5 overs (N Bolton 77, M Lanning 61; S Pandey 2-49, R Gayakwad 2-44) by 6 wickets