INDIA CRUSHES SRI LANKA BY 97 RUNS IN TRI-NATION ODI SHOWDOWN

Colombo, May 11 (BCC Women) - India secured a comprehensive 97-run win in the final of the Women's Tri-Nation ODI series against Sri Lanka here today, thanks to vice-captain Smriti Mandhana's magnificent century and a collective effort from the bowlers.

Mandhana scored a stunning 116 off 101 balls to lay the foundation for India's imposing total of 342/7. Her knock was laced with 15 fours and two sixes, including four successive boundaries off Sri Lankan captain Chamari Athapaththu to bring up her 11th ODI hundred in style.

Sri Lanka initially showed signs of life after losing two wickets but eventually collapsed under the pressure, bowled out for 245 runs. Sneh Rana and Amanjot Kaur were on their clinical best, contributing 4/38 and 3/54 respectively to Harmanpreet Kaur's team.

Skipper Chamari Athapaththu fought valiantly, scoring 51 off 66 balls, while Nilakshika Silva added 48 off 58. However, they found it difficult to chase the massive total set by India and ultimately fell short of their target.

Congratulations went out to Sneh Rana on being named Player of the series for scalping 15 wickets in five matches.

Sri Lanka's Sugandika Kumari was the pick of their bowlers with 2/59, followed by Dewmi Vihanga (2/69) and Malki Madara (2/74).

The left-hander Mandhana added a further score of 120 off 106 balls with Harleen Deol for the second wicket, steadying the innings. However, she fell while attempting a lofted cover drive.

Jemimah Rodrigues then smashed a quick-fire 44 off 29 balls as India piled on 90 runs in the final 10 overs to put the match beyond doubt. Deepti Sharma and Amanjot Kaur contributed cameos of 20 not out off 14 and 18 off 12 respectively, helping India surge past 340.

For Sri Lanka, they needed a strong start but lost their opening wicket in only the third ball. From there on, it was a downhill slide for the home team as India's bowlers took control.

In the end, it was Sneh Rana who sealed the win for India by bowling Nilakshika Silva around her legs to give Harmanpreet Kaur's side their second breakthrough.

The final scorecard read 342/7 in 50 overs against 245 runs for Sri Lanka off 46.4 overs. The match marked a comprehensive victory for India in the Women's Tri-Nation ODI series.