Media365
India delivered a commanding performance to clinch the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI series title with a resounding 97-run win over Sri Lanka in the final on Sunday. Vice-captain Smriti Mandhana starred with a sublime century, while the bowlers executed a clinical job to seal a deserving triumph.Opting to bat first, India rode on Mandhana’s masterful 116 off 101 balls — her 11th ODI hundred — to post a formidable 342/7.Battling cramps in humid conditions, the elegant left-hander peppered her innings with 15 boundaries and two sixes, including four consecutive fours off Sri Lanka skipper Chamari Athapaththu.Dropped on 21, Mandhana made Sri Lanka pay with crucial partnerships — 70 runs for the opening wicket with Pratika Rawal (30) and a 120-run stand with Harleen Deol (47) for the second wicket. Her fluent knock laid the foundation for India’s late-innings assault.Jemimah Rodrigues (44 off 29) and captain Harmanpreet Kaur (41 off 30) capitalised in the final phase, as India amassed 90 runs in the last 10 overs. Deepti Sharma (20* off 14) and Amanjot Kaur (18 off 12) added the finishing touches.For Sri Lanka, Sugandika Kumari (2/59), Dewmi Vihanga (2/69), and Malki Madara (2/74) shared the wickets but were unable to contain the Indian onslaught.Chasing 343, Sri Lanka’s innings faltered early with Hasini Perera bowled by Amanjot Kaur in the very first over. Athapaththu (51) and Vishmi Gunaratne (36) tried to revive the chase, but disciplined Indian bowling tightened the screws. Off-spinner Deepti Sharma applied pressure with three tight overs, paving the way for Amanjot to bowl Vishmi around her legs.
Sneh Rana (4/38) then struck key blows, including the wicket of Athapaththu just after her half-century. Rana had earlier dropped the Sri Lankan skipper but made amends quickly. Nilakshika Silva (48) offered resistance, but her dismissal to Rana marked the end of any hope for the hosts.India wrapped up the innings for 245, with Amanjot (3/54) and Rana leading the bowling effort in a dominant all-round display.
