India women wrap it up in style

On the eve of the series-deciding ODI against England women, India opener Smriti Mandhana had cited the need for “clicking together as a batting group and building partnerships” if India had to keep its bilateral series record at home against England intact.

Mandhana and her teammates implemented the plan to precision as India cruised to an eight-wicket victory and seal the series 2-1 on Thursday at Jamtha here.

India bowlers put up an inspired performance to restrict England to 201 for nine.

Mandhana, captain Mithali Raj and all-rounder Deepti Sharma then notched up a fifty each to see India home with almost five overs to spare. Opener Jemimah Rodrigues and Veda Krishnamurthy were accounted for by Anya Shrubsole and India was reduced to 23 for two in the seventh over.

Mandhana didn’t let the pressure pile on, driving Shrubsole for successive fours. Mandhana, moments after crossing a second fifty of the series, returned to the change room after hurting herself while diving to complete a single. In came Deepti Sharma, and the left-hander lofted Hazell over short fine-leg for a four and continued to score at will. She and Mithali didn’t let England get back into the game, with Deepti finishing the game with a six over cow-corner off Alex Hartley.

In the morning, Jhulan Goswami got rid of the dangerous Danielle Wyatt and consistent Tammy Beaumont in her opening spell.

The scores:

England 201 for nine in 50 overs (Amy Jones 94, Heather Knight 36) lost to India 202 for two in 45.2 overs (Mithali Raj 74 n.o., Deepti Sharma 54 n.o., Smriti Mandhana 53 retd. hurt).

Player-of-the-match: Deepti.

Player-of-the-series: Smriti.