India rely on Mithali Raj for victory

India ensured that they did not have to depend on net run-rates to qualify for the Super Six by beating Sri Lanka by 35 runs at the Bankstown Oval in Sydney. It was India's second victory in the group stage while Sri Lanka finished without a win from three games.

India's victory was far from convincing. They once again relied on Mithali Raj for most of their runs and would have been left with a paltry total if not for her contribution. She made 59 out of 169 against England and today she scored an unbeaten 75 out of a total of 137 for 7.

Raj began her innings with India in early trouble at 11 for 2, a position which deteriorated rapidly with wickets falling regularly with hardly any addition to the score. Six of the top eight batsmen failed to score more than five but Raj remained steady through the innings. Even so, India were struggling at 78 for 7 in the 40th over before they were lifted by a quick 24 from their captain Jhulan Goswami.

Raj hit only one four in her 120-ball innings and added 59 for the seventh wicket with Goswami. Their partnership lifted India to 137, which was less than what they had managed against England. Udeshika Prabodhani, Chamari Polgampola and Suwini de Alwis picked up two wickets each for Sri Lanka.

Raj was happy that her performance came at a vital moment. "It came at the right time. We did struggle in those initial overs when we were four down for 38 runs. So there was a lot of pressure," she said. "I think our only concern would be our batting. It has really let us down against England and even today where we collapsed quite early."

Faced with a small target, Sri Lanka's openers began slowly but steadily. Dedunu Silva and Polgampola added 37 but they fell in quick succession, leaving Sri Lanka on 41 for 2. These wickets triggered a collapse and the chase never got back on track. Apart from Eshani Kaushalya who made 20, none of the others made significant contributions . Sri Lanka were dismissed in the 45th over, 35 runs short of the target. Amita Sharma played a big hand in India's win, taking three top and middle order wickets to finish with 3 for 19 in ten overs.