India Women take on Ireland Women in the second ODI at Rajkot, with Smriti Mandhana leading from the front. A thrilling contest as both teams gear up for future challenges!
The second ODI between India Women and Ireland Women in Rajkot proved to be an exciting contest, with India opting to bat first after winning the toss. Under the leadership of stand-in captain Smriti Mandhana, India looked to build on their dominant performance in the series opener. In contrast, Ireland was aiming to gain valuable experience in preparation for their World Cup Qualifiers later this year.
India’s Strong Start
India, coming off a six-wicket victory in the first match, retained the same playing XI. This included the young and talented pace attack of Saima Thakor, Sayali Satghare, and Titas Sadhu, who were eager to showcase their skills in the absence of the rested Renuka Singh. With a solid mix of experience and youth, India seemed well-prepared for the match.
The Indian team also had some key players to watch out for. Pratika Rawal and Tejal Hasabnis were two batters whose performances in their early games had caught the eye of many. Along with Smriti Mandhana, Harleen Deol, and Jemimah Rodrigues, India’s batting line-up looked strong, ready to post a challenging total.
Ireland’s Changes and Challenges
On the other hand, Ireland made a few changes to their lineup. Una-Raymond Hoey and Aimee Maguire made way for Ava Canning and Alana Dalzell. Aimee Maguire, who had been one of Ireland’s standout performers in the first ODI, had been reported for a suspect bowling action. Although she was eligible to bowl, Ireland’s management decided to err on the side of caution by leaving her out of the playing XI for this match.
Ireland’s primary goal during the series was to gain valuable match experience ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers. The team, led by Gaby Lewis, was determined to give their best and use every opportunity to prepare for the bigger challenges ahead.
India’s Batting Challenge
With India choosing to bat first in slightly cooler conditions, they knew that the early morning moisture could provide an advantage to the fast bowlers. It was a crucial time for the team, as they looked to finalize their playing combination before the upcoming home World Cup later this year.
The Indian openers, Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal, started the innings cautiously. Smriti, in particular, was in good touch and looked set to build a substantial innings. She soon displayed her trademark flair, especially when she took on Prendergast’s bowling in the 19th over.
Smriti Mandhana’s Masterclass
In the 19th over, Smriti Mandhana put on an impressive show with two boundary shots. First, she played a brilliant pull shot that raced for six, following it up with a delightful cut shot for four. Smriti’s confidence was evident as she effortlessly guided India towards a strong total. Her partnership with Pratika Rawal reached a milestone, with the pair adding 150 runs together, a significant contribution to India’s total score.
However, as fate would have it, Smriti Mandhana’s innings came to an end in almost identical fashion to how she was dropped earlier. In a similar pull shot, Smriti found the fielder at mid-wicket, but this time the fielder held onto the catch. Smriti was dismissed, but not before playing a vital knock that had put India in a commanding position.
Ireland’s Resilience
Despite losing a crucial wicket, Ireland’s bowlers continued to fight hard. Prendergast’s persistence and skill nearly had more wickets to her name, but India’s batters kept finding ways to score. With the depth in the Indian lineup, it was clear that Ireland had a difficult task ahead if they hoped to dismiss India for a modest total.
Ireland’s fielding, although at times inconsistent, was a positive in parts. They managed to keep the game alive with sharp efforts in the field, while their bowlers, particularly Canning and Dalzell, looked to break the partnerships.
Looking Ahead: India’s World Cup Preparations and Ireland’s Growth
For India, the match was more than just a contest against Ireland; it was about finalizing the best combination ahead of the home World Cup later this year. Players like Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh would have to step up and prove their mettle as the team prepares for the biggest tournament of the year.
On the other hand, Ireland was using the series to gain much-needed experience and exposure. With the World Cup Qualifiers on the horizon, every match and every lesson learned during the series would play a crucial role in helping the team perform at their best when the qualifiers arrive.
