London, Jul 19 (PTI) Star batter Smriti Mandhana played a fine hand of 42, but steady England bowlers led by left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone restricted India to 143 for eight in the rain-affected second ODI here on Saturday.
The match was reduced to 29 overs a side after persistent rain ate considerably into the match time, as India looked to win this match and seal the three-match series.
The visitors are leading the rubber 1-0. But once England elected to bowl first, Indian batters failed to get going under the grey London skies.
They lost opener Pratika Rawal in the second over, getting castled while trying to steer a fuller length delivery from pacer Em Arlott (2/26) to third man.
Mandhana (42) and Harleen Deol (16) added 40 runs for the second wicket as India appeared to have survived the early jolt.
But the dismissal of Deol, caught off her own bowling by Ecclestone (3/27), opened the floodgates. Mandhana, who was dropped on two by Lauren Bell off her own bowling, stayed firm at one end.
Skipper Harmanpreet Kaur was deceived by a quick, straight one from Ecclestone to lose her timber, Jemimah Rodrigues, and Richa Ghosh also returned to the dugout in quick succession.
India lost four wickets for 26 runs at that juncture, and Mandhana’s dismissal completed the rout.
The elegant left-hander pushed an otherwise expensive left-arm spinner Linsey Smith (2/28) to Charlie Dean inside the circle.
India were 98 for six at her fall, but Deepti Sharma (30 not out) and Arundhati Reddy (14), who came in for Amanjot Kaur, added 26 runs for the seventh wicket to take India forward a bit.
However, the dismissal of Reddy ended that promising stand. PTI UNG AT AT
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