Record-breaking-Raj leads India to a series victory

India beat England by 8 wickets in the 3rd ODI to clinch a 2-1 series win. Three 50+ scores from the Indian camp coupled with clinical bowling spells led to a comfortable win with 28 balls to spare.

The England innings was off to a dismal start with veteran bowler Jhulan Goswami sending English openers Wyatt and Beaumont to the pavilion in the first 10 overs itself. Amy Jones scored 94 from 119 balls (4×7, 6×1), a cracker of an inning helping England cross the 200 mark. Though, she lost a much-deserved hundred to a run out of the last ball. Heather Knight, England captain, contributed decently with 36 from 59 balls.

A regular day at the office for Smriti Mandhana - she starred with the bat yet again, making 53 from 67 balls (4×6; 6×0) ultimately retiring to cramps. Her terrific form has amassed her 531 runs this year, still counting. The early wicket of Jemimah Rodrigues in the 1st over and that of Veda Krishnamurthy in the 6th hurt India. The damage was controlled well by Mithali Raj who anchored the innings, bringing in her 50th fifty from 93 balls. She now has the most 50+ scores in Women matches. Some fine support came from Deepti Sharma who was adjudged the player of the match for her 61 balls 54 and 2/35.

Undoubtedly, the home season was jinxed. Sample the 2nd ODI where India wrapped up their innings 113 all out with 8 batters notching single-digit scores (three of them being 0). This series win comes as a respite.

Capitalising on partnerships, a good match day for the Indian team, not so much for the viewers, courtesy the erratic live stream (BCCI, are you listening?)

Sealing the home season with a 2-1 win. All's well that ends well.

And yes! Au revoir - the ghosts of Lords...

Flash Scores:

India 202/2 (M Raj 74, A Shrubsole 2/37) beat England 201/9 (A Jones 94, R Gayakwad 2/32) by 8 wickets.