Half-centuries from Jemimah Rodrigues and Harmanpreet Kaur helped India post a competitive 228 for eight in the second Women’s One Day International against Bangladesh here on Wednesday. Electing to bat after losing the toss, Indian opener Smriti Mandhana scored an innings of 36 runs in 58 balls but despite this the visitors were in trouble for 68 runs after losing three wickets. Jemima (86) and Harnampreet (52) then took the innings for the fourth wicket with a 91-ball 73-run partnership. Jamika, who played her career-best ODI innings, also shared a 55-run partnership with Harleen Deol (25). Harleen came to the crease when Harmanpreet retired hurt due to pain in her left arm.
India recovered from a slow start at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium thanks to an aggressive innings from Jemima. Jemima hit nine fours in her 78-ball innings. Harmanpreet came on the field in the last over of the innings and completed her half-century. Harmanpreet faced 88 balls and hit three fours. Earlier, the Indian batsmen found it difficult to score runs in front of the accurate line and length of the Bangladesh bowlers. Marufa Akhtar bowled opener Priya Punia (07) in the fifth over of the innings while Yastika Bhatia (15) was run out. Harmanpreet and Smriti were at the crease after this. The spinners were getting good turn and bounce from the pitch. Both could pair 28 runs in 66 balls. In an attempt to increase the run rate, Smriti was bowled by leg-spinner Rabia Khan, leaving India at 68 for three.
Things changed after Jemima arrived. Jemima and Harmanpreet made good use of their moves against the spinners during their partnership. India’s century was completed in the 28th over. Both preferred to rotate the strike and also hit the boundary off the bad ball. Bangladesh created pressure by getting long spells from their bowlers. The half-century partnership between Jemima and Harmanpreet was completed in the 32nd over. Jemima completes her half-century with a four off Marufa. Jemima increased the run rate by hitting five fours in the last five overs.
