Jemimah Rodrigues stars with maiden ton as India seal ODI series against Ireland after record total | Cricket News

After Jemimah Rodrigues’ maiden ODI century and a collective batting effort powered India to their highest-ever ODI total of 370/5, their bowlers completed the job as India took an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series against Ireland in Rajkot on Sunday.
Electing to bat first in the second ODI, India skipper Smriti Mandhana, who has been having a stellar run in the format, scored 73 off 54 deliveries and out on a 156-run opening stand with Pratika Rawal (67). At her attacking best, runs flowed for Smriti, while Pratika grew in confidence at the other end. But their dismissal off successive deliveries brought Ireland back into the game.
On a day when there were plenty of bright spots on India’s batting front, Harleen Deol’s approach was an exception. Even though the No.3 came at a time when India had lost two quick wickets, she was too slow to get off the blocks. Against quality sides, such a timid approach can let opponents take control. Even Ireland did precisely that before Jemimah came to the rescue with frequent boundaries. Off the first 21 deliveries that Harleen faced, she had only 5 to her name, before gradually picking up pace and ending up with 89 off 84 deliveries.
In their 183-run stand, it was Jemimah’s intent that made it a match-winning effort. Her innings was a sight to behold. With a lot of overs to play with, she went about building an innings but once she touched fifty, the Mumbai player took just 28 more deliveries to reach her first ODI century.

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“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,” Jemimah told the broadcasters at the innings break.
“Today, the important thing for me was to be there till the 50th over. Getting runs is not a problem, I am good at that, but being there till the end was important and glad I could do that. Having Harleen there, initially we took time to assess the conditions. I know I can accelerate but while I took time, Harleen spoke to me to keep believing. We can’t take any team lightly. We have followed domestic cricket here, 390 has been chased,” Jemimah added.
With the steep target in front of them, Ireland put their best foot forward and for the second successive match, managed to bat the entire 50 overs. Sarah Fobes got a good start at the top making 38 before Chrina Coulter Reilly made 80 off 113 deliveries at No.3. Batting fluently like Jemimah did in the first half of the game, Reilly was all class. But the rest hardly put up a fight as Ireland ended with only 254/7 with Deepti Sharma being the pick of the Indian bowlers with three wickets.
Brief scores: India 370/5 in 50 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 102 off 91 balls, Harleen Deol 89 off 84 balls, Smriti Mandhana 73 off 54 balls, Pratika Rawal 67 of 61 balls) beat Ireland 254/7 in 50 overs (Chrina Coulter Reilly 80 in 113 balls; Deepti Sharma 3/37) 116 runs

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