Since Harleen Deol’s return, star batter Jemimah Rodrigues has had a change in her batting position. But it has greatly aided the former’s cause, as she now has her second century in One-Day Internationals, which she achieved on Wednesday, May 07, in the Women’s Tri-Nation ODI Series 2025 match against South Africa Women at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo on a cloudy morning.
The Mumbai native surpassed the milestone in just 89 balls, and the Indian team needed her knock badly because they had already lost captain Harmanpreet Kaur, Harleen, and Pratika Rawal, three of their best hitters, by the seventh over. The innings was then stabilised by Jemimah’s arrival and partnership with vice-captain Smriti Mandhana.
Following an 88-run partnership with Jemimah Rodrigues, Smriti was caught at deep mid-wicket by the Proteas captain.
However, the Indian team really benefited by her knock, since the star opener left the game soon after reaching her 31st half-century. Considering the pressure the Women in Blue were under early in the game, Smriti’s knock, which included six boundaries, came at a healthy strike-rate.
Jemimah Rodrigues, however, found an even better partner in Deepti Sharma, thus her confidence was unaffected by Smriti’s wicket. Jemimah put India out of trouble and put them in control of the game with 123 off just 101 balls, hitting 15 boundaries and a single maximum, which was also the first of the Indian innings. Before Masabata Klaas ended her time at the crease with an easy catch at point in the 43rd over, she stitched a 122-run partnership with Deepti.
๐๐๐๐ฟ๐๐๐ฟ! ๐ฏ
Jemimah Rodrigues notches her Second ODI Century! ๐
A sublime knock this from the #TeamIndia batter ๐๐
Updates โถ๏ธ https://t.co/V5htnun1j2#WomensTriNationSeries2025 | #INDvSA | @JemiRodrigues pic.twitter.com/qhZhGTMuib
โ BCCI Women (@BCCIWomen) May 7, 2025
Deepti took the initiative to lead her side to a solid total after playing second fiddle to Jemimah Rodrigues during their partnership. The Bengal all-rounder quickly approached the three-figure mark before attempting a straightforward catch to Tryon off the fifth delivery of the last over from Nadine de Klerk. However, not before smashing an incredible 93 off only 84 deliveries, which included ten fours and two enormous sixes. The Harmanpreet Kaur-led team finished the innings with 337 for the loss of nine wickets thanks to the unit’s outstanding batting.
In order to win the match, the South Africans currently need 338. India will advance to the finals and face hosts Sri Lanka in the decisive match on Sunday, May 11, at the same location, if they can protect the total.
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