Smriti Mandhana scored a magnificent 87 as India Women defeated Ireland Women by 5 runs via DLS method at St George’s Park in Gqeberha on Monday.
After winning the toss and electing to bat first openers Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana got India Women off to a solid start. The pair added 62 runs for the opening wicket before the former (24) was caught at deep square leg boundary by Hunter off Delany.
Smriti added 52 runs for the second wicket along with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur before Delany struck twice- first by claiming Kaur and then dismissing the in form Richa Ghosh for a golden duck.
Mandhana who was dropped 4 times, made Ireland pay by scoring a well deserved fifty in 40 balls. She was eventually finally dismissed, caught at long off by Gaby Lewis off Orla Prendergast for a 56 ball-87. Her knock comprised off 9 fours and 3 sixes.
Jemimah Rodrigues struck a couple of crucial boundaries in the final over off Kelly before being dismissed, as India Women ended up with a competitive total of 155/6 in their allotted 20 overs.
Chasing 155, Ireland Women got off to a disastrous start as Amy Hunter (1) was run out off the first delivery following a mix-up with Gaby Lewis. Renuka Singh then cleaned up Orla Prendergast for a duck as she missed a length ball.
However Laura Delany and Gaby Lewis stitched together an unbeaten 53 run stand for the third wicket. However rain played spoilsport as India were declared winners as Ireland were five runs behind the DLS score of 59.