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The second One Day International (ODI) between India and Ireland Women's cricket teams concluded with a resounding victory for the hosts, India, securing the series with a match to spare. Jemimah Rodrigues' remarkable performance, culminating in her maiden international century (102 runs off 91 balls), was the cornerstone of India's triumph. This innings was not only a personal milestone for Rodrigues but also a pivotal element in India's record-breaking ODI total of 370/5, the highest they have ever achieved. The match showcased a dominant display of batting prowess from the Indian team, with three other batters also contributing substantial scores in the top order. Harleen Deol's impressive 89 runs off 84 balls, Smriti Mandhana's 73 runs off 54 balls, and Pratika Rawal's contribution of 67 runs off 61 balls further solidified India's commanding position.
India's success started right from the beginning. The newly formed opening partnership of Smriti Mandhana and Pratika Rawal capitalized on a generous display of bowling from the Irish side, accumulating 75 runs in the first PowerPlay. Ireland's bowlers struggled with accuracy, delivering a high number of extras and boundary balls, offering India a significant advantage. Although Mandhana and Rawal's partnership was eventually broken, the momentum remained firmly with India. Jemimah Rodrigues and Harleen Deol built on the foundation laid by the openers, forging a crucial 183-run partnership for the third wicket. This partnership, achieved steadily over 168 deliveries, exerted immense pressure on Ireland's bowling attack. Both batters paced their innings cautiously initially before accelerating once they reached their respective fifties, dominating the bowling attack. Rodrigues' century, achieved in the final over, was a fitting culmination of her performance, while Deol narrowly missed out on her own century, finishing with 89 runs. Richa Ghosh also chipped in with some valuable late-innings boundaries.
The significant lead provided by India's formidable batting performance rendered Ireland's chase an uphill battle. Even with the exceptionally batting-friendly pitch, the task was almost insurmountable for Ireland. Their hopes of a comeback were further diminished by the early dismissal of their captain, Gaby Lewis, within the first ten overs. India's bowling attack, disciplined and accurate, effectively prevented Ireland from gaining any significant momentum. While Sarah Forbes contributed a determined 38 runs from 63 balls, the innings lacked the necessary impetus. Coulter Reilly's 80 runs from 113 balls, though a commendable performance individually, was insufficient to change the course of the match, not posing any significant pressure on India's bowlers. Ireland's lower order attempted to reduce the margin of defeat with some aggressive late-order batting after Reilly's dismissal in the 41st over, but India's victory was already secure.
India's spin bowlers played a key role in restricting Ireland's run-scoring. Deepti Sharma, celebrating her 100th ODI, delivered a characteristically cunning spell, taking 3 wickets for 37 runs. Priya Mishra also made significant contributions, claiming 2 wickets for 53 runs. The other Indian bowlers maintained a consistent level of accuracy, further aided by the massive scoreboard pressure created by India's high total. Despite India's bowling dominance, they did concede 21 extras. This is worth noting, particularly in comparison to Ireland's bowlers, who conceded 25 extras. However, this disparity in extras conceded did not significantly impact the eventual outcome. The match ultimately ended in a 116-run victory for India, solidifying their position as the series winners with one match remaining. The final ODI is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15th at the same venue in Rajkot.
The match highlights the significant disparity in strength between the two teams. India's batting line-up demonstrated impressive consistency and a capability to dominate matches from start to finish. While Ireland showed moments of resilience, particularly in the individual performances of Coulter Reilly and Sarah Forbes, they were ultimately outmatched by the overwhelming power of India's batting and the effectiveness of their bowling attack. The series victory underscores India's continued growth and dominance in women's international cricket. The upcoming final ODI, while technically inconsequential in terms of the overall series result, provides an opportunity for both teams to fine-tune their strategies and gain valuable match practice before future international engagements. Rodrigues' remarkable century will undoubtedly be remembered as a defining moment of this series, setting a high bar for both individual and team performance.