Can Smriti Mandhana’s 117 Lead India to Victory Against Australia in 2nd ODI?

New Chandigarh, Sep 17 (NationPress) Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana led India’s innings with a remarkable 117 runs, but Australia struck at crucial moments to dismiss the home team for 292 in the second ODI at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium on Wednesday. Compared to the first ODI, India managed to add 11 more runs to their total in this match against Australia. Nevertheless, recurring issues came to the forefront as, despite achieving their highest-ever total against Australia in women's ODIs, they fell short of the coveted 300-run mark.

Smriti was the standout player, scoring a brilliant 117 off 91 balls and reaching her century in just 77 deliveries, marking the second-fastest century by an Indian woman in ODIs. Her innings was characterized by both elegance and aggression, tearing through the Australian bowling attack with 14 fours and four sixes.

A notable aspect of her innings was her scoring primarily on the leg side, diverging from her usual off-side play. However, Smriti lacked support from her teammates, as none were able to contribute significantly.

Frequent wickets and unfortunate run-outs further hampered their progress, leading to a feeling that India fell short by at least 30 runs of a truly formidable total. For Australia, pacer Darcie Brown emerged as the top bowler with impressive figures of 3-42.

At one point, a score of 300 seemed within reach, but a change in pace from Darcie and Annabel Sutherland at the end of the innings kept things tight, preventing India from achieving their desired finish.

After being asked to bat first, India started strong, with Mandhana and Pratika Rawal putting together 64 runs during the Power-play before Rawal fell for a 25-ball 32, caught at cover off Ashleigh.

Smriti, in exceptional form, reached her half-century in just 45 balls with a six over midwicket. She continued to dominate, even as Harleen Deol struggled and was run out for 10 in a poor mix-up.

Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur followed soon after, dismissed for 17 after slicing a catch to backward point off Ashleigh. In the 29th over, Smriti celebrated her 12th ODI century, the third against Australia, in just 77 balls, before getting caught in the deep off Tahlia McGrath for 117.

With India at 235/4 after 40 overs, they appeared well-placed to surpass 300, until Australia’s deep bowling lineup had other plans. Richa Ghosh and Deepti Sharma shared a 47-run partnership before Ghosh was dismissed by a slower ball from Annabel.

Darcie then struck twice quickly, removing Arundhati Reddy and Deepti, who contributed a steady 40 off 53 balls. Despite Australia being penalized for the over-rate and limited to three fielders outside the ring for the final phase, they successfully restricted India below 300. Australia now faces the challenge of chasing their highest-ever target in the 50-over format.

Brief scores:

India 292 all out in 49.5 overs (Smriti Mandhana 117, Deepti Sharma 40; Darcie Brown 3-42, Ashleigh Gardner 2-39) against Australia