tayabet IND-W Vs IRE-W 2nd ODI: Jemimah Rodrigues’ Maiden Century Powers India To 116-Run Win Over Ireland

Jemimah Rodrigues' maiden ODI century led a stellar team effort as India secured a commanding 116-run victory over Ireland in the second women's ODI on Sunday. (Highlights | More Cricket News)

The win handed India an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series. India posted a massive 370/5, thanks to three half-centuries and a hundred, before restricting Ireland to 254/7 in their allotted 50 overs.

India's innings was off to a flying start with skipper Smriti Mandhana, who hammered 73 off just 54 balls. Rodrigues then anchored the innings with her maiden hundred, scoring 102 off 91 balls, ensuring India finished on a high.

The contributions didn't stop there, as debutant Pratika Rawal scored 67 off 61 balls and Harleen Deol added 89 off 84 balls, all taking full advantage of a weak Irish bowling attack.

Ireland, despite steady contributions, couldn't match the mammoth Indian total. Christina Coulter Reilly fought hard with a knock of 80, but the rest of the batting lineup lacked the firepower to challenge the target.

Deepti Sharma was the standout bowler for India, claiming 3 wickets for 37 runs, while Titas Sadhu took 1/48 in her 10 overs. India's total was built on two significant partnerships: 156 runs off 19 overs between Mandhana and Rawal, and 183 runs off 28 overs between Rodrigues and Deol. In total, the Indian batters struck 44 boundaries and three sixes in their innings.

Rodrigues, who had faced criticism for her previous inconsistency, was delighted with her performance. "It has been a long wait to get this hundred. Glad that the team gave me a role at No. 4 and I could deliver," she told broadcasters Star Sports during the innings break.

South Korea, meanwhile, are placed fourth in the standings with 6 points, with one win, three draws, and one loss. They were surpassed by China, who secured 2 wins and as many points. Korea’s season began with a 5-5 draw against Japan, followed by a 2-2 draw with Pakistan, their first victory with a 3-2 win over China, 3-1 loss at the hands of India and a 3-3 draw against Malaysia in their final pool match.

Reflecting on her approach, she said, "Today, the important thing for me was to be till the 50th over. Getting runs is not a problem, I am good at that, but being till the end was important and glad I could do that."

Rodrigues also acknowledged the vital partnership with Deol. "Having Harleen there, initially we took time to assess the conditions. I know I can accelerate but while I took time, Harleen spoke to me to keep believing." She concluded, "We can't take any team lightly, we have followed domestic cricket here, 390 has been chased."

With PTI Inputstayabet