Devika Vaidya starred for India as they started the ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier with a 114-run win over Sri Lanka at the P Sara Oval, Colombo on Tuesday.
India captain Mithali Raj won the toss and elected to bat first, but Mona Meshram was dismissed early on which gave Sri Lanka a massive boost at the start of the Indian innings.
It was then that Vaidya joined Deepti Sharma in the middle and the duo added 123 runs for the second wicket with both batters scoring half-centuries.
Vaidya top scored for India with 89 and the 19-year-old was deservingly named the Player of the Match for her efforts.
Mithali Raj scored an unbeaten 70 as India ended their innings with 259 runs on the board for the loss of four wickets.
In reply, the Sri Lankans got off to a good start, with the opening pair of Chamari Atapattu and Eshani Kaushalya putting on 42 for the first wicket. But it all went downhill for the host nation after that.
Spinners Rajeshwari Gayakwad and Ekta Bisht both picked up two wickets each as Sri Lanka were restricted to just 145/8 in their 50 overs.
Easy win for India women today. Devika Vaidya only 19 years old and a brilliant talent. Excellent 89 and can turn the ball. One to watch 👌🏾
— Ebony Rainford-Brent (@ejrainfordbrent) February 7, 2017
BRIEF SCORES
India 259/4, 50 overs [Vaidya 89, Raj 70*, Prabodhani 2/56] beat Sri Lanka 145/8, 50 overs [Perera 34, Gayakwad 2/19, Bisht 2/27] by 114 runs.
