India women clinch one-day series
India clinched the ODI series 2-1 with a thrilling 13-run win over England. Harmanpreet Kaur scored a superb 102 while Kranti Gaud’s six-wicket haul helped defend 318. India also won the T20I series 3-2, sealing an all-format tour win.
HYDERABAD: India captain Harmanpreet Kaur scored a brilliant century (102, 84b) and Kranti Gaud returned with impressive figures of six for 52 to fashion India to a 13-run win in the final one-dayer and help the team clinch the series 2-1 on Tuesday night.
Batting first, India scored 318 for five in 50 overs, and in reply, England fell short despite superbly paced knocks by Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt (98) and Emma Lamb (68) who put up a century stand for the third wicket after losing two quick wickets very early in the innings.
During her stay at the crease at Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, Harman hammered 14 fours and added 110 runs for the fourth wicket with Jemimah Rodrigues, who made 50 runs from 45 balls in her 50th ODI for Women in Blue.
In the final overs, wicketkeeper-batter Richa Ghosh smashed 38 runs from just 18 balls with the help of three fours and two sixes.
Earlier, Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana and No. 3 batter Harleen Deol also added 45 runs each to India’s total. India put up an improved display in the field to back up the bowlers.
Kranti Gaud provided India with an ideal start by securing two early breakthroughs, setting the tone for the match. Despite allowing the hosts to regain footing in the game, Shree Charani broke a crucial partnership, swinging the momentum back in India’s favour.
It was Deepti Sharma who dealt a major blow by dismissing Natalie Sciver-Brunt, who was nearing her hundred. Charani claimed another wicket, but it was Gaud who stole the spotlight with a sensational six-wicket haul, ultimately sealing the win for the visitors.
India’s women completed a successful tour of England, winning the ODI series 2-1 and the T20I series 3-2, marking another all-format away series win.
The scores: India 318/5 in 50 overs (Smriti Mandhana 45, Harleen Deo 45, Harmanpreet Kaur 102, Jemimah Rodrigues 50 n.o.) bt England 305 in 49.5 overs (Emma Lamb 68, Natalie Sciver 98, Sophia Dunkley 34, Charlotte Dean 44, Kranti Goud 6/52).
