Smriti Mandhana’s incredible ton helps India restore parity in ODI series

India-W roared back to life in the most stunning fashion as they outclassed a formidable Australia-W in the second ODI to restore parity to the series at 1-1.

Smriti Mandhana stood at the forefront of the charge while the rest of the team powered to a collective front of brilliance as Australia fizzled out way before the finish line.

India were put into bat after Australia won the toss. Mandhana took over the reins of the game from ball one itself. She had decent support from Pratika Rawal (25) as India totted up 70 runs for the opening stand before Ashleigh Gardner could get the better of Rawal.

Despite Harleen Deol (10) falling short, Mandhana’s deft operation at the other end saw India keeping themselves afloat. Harmanpreet Kaur (17) couldn’t add more either as the Women in Blue had a drop in momentum and it got amplified when Smriti fell for a well-orchestrated 117 from just 91 balls. When Tahlia McGrath removed the RCB skipper, she had already struck 14 fours and four sixes by then.

Richa Ghosh (29), Deepti Sharma (40) and Sneh Rana (24) did conjure crucial cameos as India managed to pile up 292 before being bowled out. Darcie Brown was the pick of the lot for the Aussie bowlers as she claimed three wickets. After a defeat in the series opener, the Indian bowlers needed to pick early wickets.

It was the returning Renuka Singh who drew first blood for Team India as she gunned through the defences of Georgia Voll (0). Kranti Goud soon doubled up India’s advantage as she got the better of Alyssa Healy (9). Ellyse Perry (44) did form a formidable core of the Aussie defiance as the Indian bowlers found it hard to break through.

It was RCB all-rounder, Sneh Rana, who provided the hope that India were looking for as Rana removed Beth Mooney (18), breaking the third-wicket partnership. Annabel Sutherland (45) did get off to a feisty start and formed another important stand with Perry to bolster Australia’s fighting base.

After a significant wait, it was Radha Yadav who managed to produce the mishit from Pez, pouching a fine catch off her own bowling. Sutherland continued with the fight but not for long as Arundhati Reddy’s reintroduction put an end to Sutherland’s resilience. From thereon, it was a steep descent into dilapidation for Australia as the Indian bowlers rammed through the floodgates.

Kranti Goud led the bowling charge with figures of 3/28 while she had help from Deepti Sharma who clinched a brace too. India secured a monumental win by 102 runs, blowing back life into the series. Smriti Mandhana was adjudged as the Player of the Match after a rollicking performance with the bat.