India 241 for 4 (Rawal 89, Hasabnis 53*, Mandhana 41) beat Eire 238 for 7 (Lewis 92, Paul 59, Mishra 2-56) by six wickets
Pratika Rawal continued her spectacular initiation into worldwide cricket, hitting her second half-century in 4 innings on the high of the order, as India secured a cushty six-wicket over Eire within the first ODI in Rajkot.
Rawal’s accomplice was one other rookie, Tejal Hasabnis, who notched up a maiden half-century in her fourth ODI. The pair added 116 for the fourth wicket after India briefly wobbled once they misplaced Harleen Deol and Jemimah Rodrigues in fast succession.
Whereas Rawal steadily shifted gears after taking part in second fiddle to Smriti Mandhana in a strong 70-run opening stand, Hasabnis displayed an attacking recreation and a penchant for the large photographs from get-go.
Hasabnis could not break into the XI in any of the three ODIs towards West Indies late final month, and solely received the chance right here as a result of Harmanpreet Kaur was rested. She repaid the religion, attending to a half-century off simply 43 balls and remaining unbeaten on 53.
As India’s chase entered its residence stretch, Rawal’s impending century turned a matter of nice curiosity. Rawal confirmed keenness to go for the runs as she raced by way of the 80s. With Rawal needing 25 and India simply 21, she tore into left-arm spinner Aimee Maguire, hitting her for 2 fours and a six.
The primary of these fours was an aesthetically pleasing inside-out drive over additional cowl towards the flip. She adopted that with two massive hits straight down the bottom. On 89, an try and loft the ball down the bottom for six led to her holing out inches from the boundary as Orla Prendergast took a wonderful catch.
Rawal walked off to a standing ovation. That she was even remotely in with an opportunity to attain her maiden ODI century was all the way down to her sensational strokeplay as soon as she crossed fifty. Richa Ghosh got here in to hit her first two balls to the boundary to seal India’s win within the thirty fifth over.
Whereas Rawal could not stay unbeaten, Hasabnis did her status no hurt, exhibiting the power to be a big-hitting middle-order batter India would like to have. She received going very early on, when she smashed Laura Delany for 2 back-to-back fours within the twenty fourth over that went for 22.
When Delany pulled out halfway by way of the over, Prendergast got here underneath Hasabnis’ hammer as she hit a 3rd 4 by slapping a size ball by way of additional cowl. The enterprising nature of the Rawal-Hasabnis partnership allowed India to cost in direction of the goal.
Regardless of the character of the defeat, it wasn’t all doom and gloom for Eire. They challenged an inexperienced Indian assault with Gaby Lewis, the captain, main the struggle with 92 in a complete of 238 for 7 after electing to bat. Lewis, who narrowly missed out on a maiden ODI century with cramps ultimately resulting in her downfall, was supported by Leah Paul, who made an industrious 59 from No. 5.
The pair shared a stand of 117 to rescue an innings that gave the impression to be heading in direction of a free-fall when rookie legspinner Priya Mishra despatched again Prendergast and Delany, two of Eire’s most-experienced batters, off successive deliveries within the 14th over to depart them 56 for 4.
India have been off the boil on the sector although, dropping 4 catches in all that performed a job in them permitting Eire to bat the whole 50 overs. Lewis was the primary to be reprieved on 59 when Richa Ghosh bailed out of a catch to cease the wholesome edge together with her boot. Paul was let off in back-to-back overs, off Titas Sadhu at deep midwicket and by Mishra off her personal bowling, after the batter had crossed her seventh ODI half-century.
Then with Eire on the lookout for end-overs acceleration, Harleen reprieved Arlene Kelly at additional cowl. Eire batting out the whole 50 overs ought to depend as a mini-victory of types given solely two gamers – Lewis and Delany – had prior expertise of getting performed in India.
Cameos from Kelly and Christina Coulter Reilly helped Eire decide up some essential runs within the loss of life overs, nevertheless it turned evident very early on, as Mandhana turbocharged her solution to a succession of pull photographs in her breezy 41, that it would not be sufficient.