Renuka, openers power India to claim series triumph against Sri Lanka

PALLEKELE: India’s right-arm pacer Renuka Singh shone with her career-best WODI bowling figures before the openers steered the touring side to a dominant victory over Sri Lanka to attain an unassailable 2-0 lead.

In a one-sided clash, the dominant touring side outclassed Sri Lanka in both departments to claim the series win with one match left.

Batting first, the Sri Lankan batting line-up failed completely and could only manage to score 173 in the allotted 50 overs as they had no answers to the strong Indian bowling attack.

Ama Kachana, on the other hand, stood up for her team with her career-best 47 not-out, while Nikashi de Silva chipped in with a valiant 32. The rest of the batters, on the other hand, walked back after scoring cheaply.

For India, Renuka led the way with her career-best bowling figures of 4/28, while Meghna Singh and Deepti Sharma bagged two wickets each.

In the run chase, the Indian openers displayed sheer dominance as they remained unmoved by the Sri Lankan bowlers. The pair put on an unbeaten partnership of 174, and assisted India to claim a dominating 10 wickets victory with 146 balls to spare.

Left-handed opener Smriti Mandhana top-scored for the side with an astonishing knock of 94 runs off 83 deliveries, laced with a dozen boundaries including a six, while Shafali Verma remained unbeaten on career-best and run-a-ball 71.

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