Sri Lanka send India packing
Unlike the Men in Blue, the women cricketers get their share of recognition once every four years when they participate in the World Cup.
With India hosting the 10th edition of the event, hopes of a massive revival for women cricketers were raised. However, even before Mithali Raj’s girls could chart their own space, the script was cut short when they succumbed to a 138-run defeat and their first against Sri Lanka here at the Cricket Club of India on Tuesday.
India failed to qualify for the Super Six stage for the first time in the history of the tournament after finishing last in Group A with just one win from three games. Replying to Sri Lanka’s challenging 282/5, India had to score at least 251 to secure a spot but they could only manage 144 in 42.2 overs. India will now face arch-rivals Pakistan to know who finish with the wooden spoon.
Needing a strong show from the batters, the hosts were immediately under pressure after losing opener Poonam Raut (5), Raj (20) and previous match’s centurion Harmanpreet Kaur for nought inside the first 15 overs.
The drums were beating hard to pep up the girls but stopped when the fourth wicket in the form of Thirush Kamini (22 off 49) fell with just 50 on board. Sensing a famous win, the visitors, who were electric in the field, applied the pressure and were rewarded for it. Wicketkeeper Karuna Jain was bowled for 22 as India lost half of their side for only 69 runs.
After a brief moment of resurrection, when the hosts got to 100 in 30 overs, Jhulan Goswami (22) hit one straight to mid-wicket off Sandamali Dolawatte. Reema Malhotra, who hung in to defy the visitors was run-out for 38 as India’s challenge ended. While Shashikala Siriwardene picked 2/20, six others picked up a wicket each.
Earlier, four Sri Lankan batters posted half-centuries to take the team to a commendable 282/5. The visitors attacked throughout and batted with a carefree approach. The Indian spinners lacked variation and the fielders added to the misery with a poor show. Despite the dismissal of Chamari Atapattu — who was Goswami’s 150th ODI victim — in the first over, Sri Lanka did not buckle down. They turned things around with a 117-run stand off just 100 balls for the second wicket between Yasoda Mendis (55) and Deepika Rasangika (84).
Captain Siriwardena too got going with a fine fifty off 61 balls. With the stage set for a final blitz, Lanka rode on big hitter Eshani Kaushalya 56 (36b, 6x4, 3x6) as they amassed a whopping 94 runs in the last 10 overs.
Scores: Sri Lanka 282/5 in 50 overs (Y. Mendis 55, D. Rasangika 84, Siriwardene 59, Kaushalya 56*, Goswami 3/63) bt India 144 in 42.2 overs (R. Malhotra 38).
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