(Cricket News) In a remarkable performance, Jemimah Rodrigues achieved her career-best score of 86 runs off 78 balls and also recorded her best bowling figures in ODI cricket with 4 wickets for just 3 runs in 3.1 overs. Her outstanding contributions led India to a comfortable 108-run victory over Bangladesh in Mirpur on Wednesday.
Harmanpreet Kaur, displaying her resilient form, scored 52 runs off 88 balls and was among the few Indian batswomen who were not troubled by spin during the tour. However, it was Rodrigues who truly shined, both during her fourth-wicket partnership of 73 runs with Kaur and towards the end of the innings, anchoring India to a competitive total of 228.
In the chase, Bangladesh struggled and were eventually bowled out within 35.1 overs.
This remarkable victory came after India faced two consecutive defeats, one in the last T20I and the other in the first ODI, within a week. However, with their brilliant performance in the third ODI, India made a strong comeback and leveled the 50-over series 1-1.
After experiencing the surprising playing conditions that favored pace and swing in the rain-hit first ODI, the dry Mirpur pitch played out as expected, offering spin and uneven bounce, which had previously troubled the Indian batting during the T20 series.
India was put into bat, and the innings began in a familiar fashion with the loss of three wickets – Priya Punia, Yastika Bhatia, and Smriti Mandhana – leaving the team at 68-3.
Harmanpreet and Rodrigues took charge to prevent a middle-overs collapse. They adopted a steady approach, skillfully rotating the strike, converting singles into twos, finding occasional boundaries, and negotiating the spin bowling. However, when Harmanpreet suffered a left wrist injury and had to retire at 48, the responsibility to guide India to a competitive total fell upon Rodrigues in a format where she has limited experience.
Guided by a valuable contribution from Harleen Deol, Jemimah Rodrigues paced her innings perfectly. As the innings progressed, Rodrigues picked up the pace, transitioning from manipulating the field with cuts and sweeps to finding gaps with drives and pulls. Five of her nine boundaries came between the 44th and 49th overs, during which she eventually got out. Harmanpreet returned to the crease and completed her half-century, helping India reach a total of 228, a score that had never been successfully chased in Bangladesh.
In the second innings, Bangladesh faced a challenging task after losing two wickets early on, but Fargana Hoque (47 runs from 81 balls) and Ritu Moni (27 runs from 46 balls) steadied the run chase, reaching 103-2 after 28 overs. It seemed that Bangladesh had a chance to chase down the target, but India’s stand-in skipper, Smriti Mandhana, made some crucial bowling changes, altering the course of the game.
Throughout the tour, India has found great utility in their part-time spinners, with players like Shafali Verma claiming four wickets in the T20s. This has further enhanced India’s options as they prepare for significant home series, including the Asian Games in China and next year’s T20 World Cup in Bangladesh, where pitches are expected to favor spinners.
In a critical moment during the match, India’s skipper Smriti Mandhana handed the ball to leg-spinning all-rounder Devika Vaidya, who skillfully stumped Fargana with quick hands from Yastika. The following over was entrusted to Jemimah Rodrigues, who had only taken one wicket in ODIs before Wednesday’s game. Rodrigues then went on to stump Ritu, resulting in Bangladesh losing seven wickets in just seven overs, and managing only 18 runs. This incredible performance by India set the stage for a crucial series-decider to take place on Saturday.
Also Read: Emerging Asia Cup: India A bank on all-round strength against tricky Bangladesh A
