Deepti’s all-round display powers India to blunt Sri Lanka in first ODI
PALLEKELE: Indian all-rounder Deepti Sharma showed a superb all-round performance and bolstered her side to seal four full wickets over Sri Lanka in the first ODI.
The young and versatile Deepti improved 3-for-3 in her first innings with an unbeaten 22 to lead her side to victory in 38 overs.
Poised to chase just 172, the touring team got off to a dismal start as they lost two wickets for a combined score of 17. Leading batsman Shafali Verma and skipper Harmanpreet Kaur then anchored the run chase with their brilliant 44-run partnership. .
Verma, aiming to speed up her gritty stroke, having smashed two sixes and a cap for her 35, fell in the 16th on Inoka Ranaweera as the former charged down the court but missed the ball.
Kaur, on the other hand, stood his ground and found himself another important partnership for the team. Kaur’s partner and newcomer Harleen Deol batted sensibly and soon saw their side amass the hundred-run mark.
However, Sri Lanka’s selection of bowlers, Ranaweera, struck gold for his side when he knocked out Kaur and Deol in their successive overs and brought his side back into the game. Kaur lost his half-century by six wickets, while Deol managed to score 34.
In her next over, left-arm spinner Ranaweera struck again as she eliminated Richa Ghosh for just six and allowed Sri Lanka to make an exceptional comeback.
However, the 38-run undefeated partnership between Deepti and Pooja Vastrakar for seventh wicket dampened Sri Lanka’s hopes as India emerged victorious by four wickets and 72 balls to spare.
Ranaweera was the star with the ball for the hosts as he claimed four wickets for just 39 runs while Oshadi Ranasinghe made two scalps.
Batting first, the Indian bowlers wreaked havoc on the Sri Lankan batting lineup and managed a meager 171 in the 49th.
Nikashi de Silva showed resilience against India’s strong bowling attack as he played a gritty 43-run strike and scored ‘It’s overdoing it’ Misbah on Kohli’s dominant approach towards the bowlers on his side.
In addition to her, starter Hasini Perera made a significant contribution with her 37, but that too failed to propel Sri Lanka to a commendable total as the rest of the batsmen were unable to count for much and perished for little money.
For India, Deepti and Renuka Singh shone with three for while Vastrakar continued with his two wickets. Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Kaur, on the other hand, struck out one batter each.
READ: ‘He’s overdoing it’ Misbah on Kohli’s domineering approach to bowlers
