Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur’s sensational and spectacular century helped India register a mammoth score against England women and win the second ODI by 88 runs. With the back-to-back wins, India sealed the 3-match ODI series 2-0 in their favour. With Kaur’s unbeaten 143 runs, India reached their second-highest ODI total of 333 runs in 50 overs. In return, England women were all out in 44.2 overs with just 245 runs.
Earlier in the game, India women were put into bat first; fortunately, that was a good decision for them. Leading the Indian batting line-up from the front against England on Wednesday, Harmanpreet Kaur smashed a stunning century and marked her 5th ODI ton. Kaur’s 143 off 111 balls is the highest score by an Indian woman against England and she braked her record of 107 runs of 109 deliveries in 2013.
Kaur has scored her century in exact 100 deliveries. With the 5th ODI century, she equaled Smriti Mandhana. After reaching the century, Kaur again smashed 2 sixes and 6 boundaries to lead the England bowlers clueless. In total, she cracked 18 fours and 4 sixes. Finding the boundary everywhere, Kaur becomes the player of the match.
Kaur’s 143 is the second highest individual score by an Indian woman in the ODI format. Deepti Sharma is the first with 188 off 160 balls in India vs Ireland match in May 2017 and in that very match, India scored their highest ODI score, 352/2.
Even though the opener Shafali Verma departed early for 8 off 7 balls, opener Smriti Mandhana has scored 40 runs off 52 balls. Wicket-keeper batter Yastika Bhatia also contributed 26 runs. Then Kaur enjoyed a 113-run stand with the star batter Harleen Deol. Deol smashed 58 runs off 72 balls.
In the last three overs, Harmanpreet Kaur literally took the game away from England as team India scored 62 runs in those overs. “I took my time and that partnership was important. After that, I gave freedom to myself and backed myself. Whoever got the chance today gave us breakthroughs,” Kaur said.
Chasing the target of 332 in a WODI looks impossible for England even though the pitch was batter friendly.
England’s bowling attack suffered a lot on the pitch as only Charlie Dean (1/39) ended with a respectable figure. The worst sufferer was the left-arm seamer Freya Kemp. As a debutant, it was a disappointing performance by her giving away 82 runs in 10 overs.
All the English bowlers were taken to the cleaners and they gave away 24 wides while bowling.
In return, it was a mountain to climb for England. None of their batters stay for long. Alice Capsey and Danni Wyatt try to steady the ship with a 55-run stand. But Alice went out in 39 runs. Danni continued scoring with the skipper Amy Jones and build a partnership. But with Danni ball out in 65 runs by Renuka Singh, the partnership broke and no one scored much after that. Danni was the top scorer for England. With Charlie Dean’s 37 and Kate Cross’s 14, England somehow reached 245 runs.
Renuka Singh grabbed four wickets for India. Dayalam Hemalatha has got 2 wickets.
“Today was a very important game for us, and everyone who got a chance contributed. I always enjoy leading, I’m always in the game, and all the support from the staff and the players,” Harmanpreet Kaur said during the post-match presentation.
With the win, India secured a series win in England after 1999. India women want to win the series only for Jhulan Goswami as it is her final international game. Even though India sealed the series, they will be aiming for a complete whitewash. “Lord’s will be very special for us with Jhulan going to retire”, Kaur said about the 3rd ODI. The 3rd and final ODI will be played at Lord’s on Saturday 24th September.
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