IND-W vs IRE-W, 2nd ODI: Jemimah’s maiden ton helps India series win vs Ireland with a game to spare

IND-W vs IRE-W, 2nd ODI: Jemimah’s maiden ton helps India series win vs Ireland with a game to spare

A collective batting performance headlined by Jemimah Rodrigues’ maiden hundred formed the cornerstone of India’s commanding 116-run win against Ireland in the second women’s ODI in Rajkot on Sunday as the host took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series.

India scored a massive 370 for five riding on three half-centuries and a ton before restricting Ireland to 254 for seven in 50 overs.

It was the elegant skipper Smriti Mandhana, who was first off the blocks with an attacking 73 off just 54 balls, while Jemimah’s first hundred (102 off 91 balls) ensured a smooth finish for the host.

Newcomer Pratika Rawal (67 off 61 balls) and seasoned Harleen Deol (89 off 84 balls) also made merry on a sub-par bowling attack.

Ireland batted steadily but never had the firepower to surpass a gigantic Indian total. Save Christina Coulter Reilly’s 80, there wasn’t much fight from the other batters.

Off-spinner Deepti Sharma emerged as the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of three for 37. Seamer Titas Sadhu got one for 48 in 10 overs.

Earlier, India’s total was based on two big stands — 156 off 19 overs between Smriti and Pratika and 183 off 28 overs between Jemimah and Harleen, smashing an astounding 44 boundaries and three sixes in 50 overs.

As far as Jemimah was concerned, her record has been one that flattered to deceive with just six half-centuries across 40 games.

But once she got the boundary off medium pacer Arlene Kelly, the relief was palpable as she did a mock guitar-playing act with her willow.

“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,” Rodrigues told broadcasters Star Sports at the innings break.

“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.”